Trump says he is Iran’s top target amid renewed conflict
9 reported2 unconfirmed
President Donald Trump stated during the NATO summit that he believes Iran wants him dead, calling himself "No. 1 on the kill list for Iran." The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel recently shared intelligence with the United States indicating Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate Trump. Trump switched from the interim Air Force One to an older VC-25A aircraft during his return from the summit, though the White House has not said whether the reported intelligence played any role. A former Secret Service agent said he had never seen a plane switch mid-trip. Mourners at a funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, Iran, carried banners threatening Trump, though they were not publicly linked to Iranian leadership. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire, formalized in a June memorandum of understanding, broke down after Iran attacked commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting renewed U.S. military strikes. The White House declined to say whether the threat level has changed but stated the new Air Force One is secure.
What’s reported
Trump told reporters at the NATO summit: "I'm No. 1 on the kill list for Iran."
The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel shared intelligence with the U.S. indicating Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate Trump.
Trump switched from the interim Air Force One to an older VC-25A aircraft during his return from the summit; the White House has not said whether the intelligence played a role.
Bill Gage, a former Secret Service special agent, said he had "never seen a plane switch up" mid-trip.
Mourners at Khamenei's funeral in Mashhad carried banners reading "Hey Trump, we will kill you" and "We will kill Trump."
Tom Warrick, former DHS deputy assistant secretary, said such banners require permission from the Iranian government.
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire, formalized in a June memorandum, broke down after Iran attacked commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command launched strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure after the ceasefire collapsed.
The White House declined to say whether the threat level has changed but said the new Air Force One is secure.
Open questions
Whether the reported Israeli intelligence about an assassination plot played any role in Trump's aircraft change.
Whether the threat level to Trump has changed following the latest escalation with Iran.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Bill Gage, former Secret Service special agent
Tom Warrick, former DHS deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism policy and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council
Steven Cheung, White House director of communications
Sources: foxnews.com
