Israel reportedly shared intelligence with the U.S. about potential plans by Iran to kill President Donald Trump.
The warning about the alleged plot, reported by The Wall Street Journal and CNN, comes amid growing tension between the U.S. and Israel over what the next phase of the Iran war and peace process should like.
The Independent has contacted Iran’s mission to the United Nations and the Israeli embassy in Washington for comment.
When asked about the alleged intelligence tip, the White House pointed to President Trump’s comments yesterday claiming that he was under threat from Iran.
“They want to take out the U.S. leader — me,” Trump said. “I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long. These are evil, sick people. And we have to root out that cancer. That cancer. You know what you do? You’ve got to cut out cancer early. And that’s the way I feel.”
The details of plot Israel had warned about were not immediately clear, CNN reported.
Officials familiar with the intelligence dialogue told the broadcaster that the U.S. had not vetted the alleged Iranian plot and suggested the warning could be viewed as a tool to sway the Trump administration towards Israel’s perspective on the war.
Iran has long vowed to avenge Qassem Soleimani, a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general that Trump had killed in his first term, and the U.S. is once again at a heightened security posture as American and Iranian forces trade strikes across the Middle East.
This is developing story. Please check back for updates…
