Trump acknowledges threats, says he’s been ‘a little bit lucky’
Israel shared new intelligence with the U.S. that it said indicated a fresh Iranian plan to kill President Donald Trump, people familiar with the matter said, a finding that would mark an escalation in the war between Washington and Tehran.
The intelligence, shared by Israel, comes as relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have frayed over diverging strategies for the conflict, with Trump seeking a ceasefire and Netanyahu pushing for continued military operations.
Iran has for years vowed openly to retaliate against Trump for the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during the president’s first term.
Trump alluded to threats to his life when speaking to reporters in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.
“They want to take out the U.S. leader — me,” he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.”
The Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment. Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House referred The Wall Street Journal to the president’s Wednesday remarks.
Relations between Trump and Netanyahu have splintered in recent weeks as their interests diverged over continuing the Iran war. Netanyahu has advocated for keeping up attacks on Iran and accomplishing more war aims. Trump has sought a way out of the conflict, citing concerns it could tank the global economy. The U.S. struck a fragile ceasefire with Iran last month.
Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Thursday, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office, which said they had agreed to continue “coordination between the countries.” Trump also updated Netanyahu on recent U.S. activity in the Gulf, the statement said.
The new intelligence surfaced as Iranian mourners at the funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei chanted for Trump’s death. Mourners unveiled a banner that read “We Will Kill Trump.”
Trump and Netanyahu spoke frequently at the start of the war in Iran, with Netanyahu telling the president about various targets and Israeli intelligence in late-night phone calls, the Journal previously reported. The two men have continued to speak, but their relationship has shown signs of fraying in a series of tense phone calls.