U.S. intelligence agencies were unable to independently verify several warnings provided by Israel over the past year regarding alleged Iranian plots to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter. The intelligence reportedly included claims of possible sniper attacks, knife attacks, and other threats against Trump.
One of the most serious alerts came ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, prompting an extraordinary security operation in which U.S. officials reportedly altered Trump's travel arrangements as a precaution. However, after reviewing the available intelligence, the CIA and other U.S. agencies assessed the information with "low confidence" because they could not independently confirm the claims. Turkish intelligence also reportedly found no evidence supporting the alleged plot.
Despite the lack of independent verification, U.S. officials treated the warnings seriously and maintained heightened security measures around the president. Sources said the intelligence influenced security planning, although it was not considered conclusive proof of an assassination attempt. Israeli officials denied that they exaggerated intelligence to influence U.S. policy toward Iran.
The revelations highlight the challenges intelligence agencies face in assessing foreign intelligence during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions. U.S. authorities continue to monitor potential threats against senior political leaders while reviewing intelligence received from international partners.
