Israel Warns US of New Iranian Plot to Assassinate Trump
Israel warned the US of a new Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump as tensions escalate following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Israeli Assassination Warning to US
Israel shared new intelligence with the US about a new Iranian plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday night, citing people familiar with the matter [3]. The report follows the newest bout of attacks between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz [3]. Israel's embassy in Washington declined to comment on the matter and Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to the outlet's request for comment [3]. The White House, however, reportedly referred the Wall Street Journal to comments Trump made on Wednesday while speaking to reporters in Ankara during the NATO summit [3]. “They want to take out the US leader, me,” Trump had said to reporters in Turkey [3]. “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” [3].
Israeli Military Readiness for Further Strikes
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated during a military ceremony that the Israeli military is prepared to strike Iran a third time if necessary and more forcefully to reestablish air superiority and remove threats [2]. The army is ready and on standby to continue fighting in order to regain air superiority and strike again in Iran and eliminate threats, even a third time if necessary, Katz emphasized [2]. New US attacks on Iran and attacks by Tehran on US regional allies since Wednesday are calling into question the ceasefire between the two sides [2].
Netanyahu Assesses Weakened Iran
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the same military ceremony that Iran is weakened by two military campaigns launched by Israel [2]. Iran and its allies are weaker than ever, Netanyahu assessed, while acknowledging that the conflict is not over [2].
Timeline of US-Israel Actions Against Iran
The current round of fighting began February 28 with a US-Israeli aerial offensive that killed Khamenei and other top Iranian officials [2]. This was the second Israeli operation against Iran after a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that also involved Washington [2].
Funeral Protests and Anti-Trump Rhetoric in Iran
Crowds in Mashhad awaiting former supreme leader Ali Khamenei's funeral cortege chanted slogans demanding revenge on Trump for his killing earlier on Thursday [3]. “I swear by the blood of the Supreme Leader, Trump, we will kill you!” they shouted, with women holding up placards reading "Kill Trump" [3]. The roads leading to the shrine were a sea of black-clad mourners on Thursday, some responding to shouted chants in praise of Khamenei and against Iran's enemies, including the old revolutionary slogan of "Death to America" [3]. Mourners pose for photos under a "kill Trump" banner set up in a main thoroughfare near the Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad, Iran, July 9, 2026 [3].
Trump-Netanyahu Coordination Call
Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke over the phone on Thursday night as part of the two countries' ongoing coordination amid the current conflict with Iran [3]. Trump updated Netanyahu on current American moves in the Gulf and the United States's attacks against Iranian assets, while Netanyahu warned Trump against approving the F-35 deal with Turkey [3]. Netanyahu also raised the matter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's severe comments against the existence of the State of Israel, as well as the need for security zones along Israel's borders [3]. No other details of the phone call were shared [3]. Despite the phone call and unfolding situation, a White House official confirmed to Walla on Thursday that at the moment, there are no plans for the two leaders to meet [3].
What to watch next: A White House official confirmed there are no plans for Trump and Netanyahu to meet at the moment amid the ongoing coordination on the conflict with Iran [3].
