The conflict between the U.S. and Iran shows no signs of abating, as new assassination plots emerge. Israel informed the U.S. of Iran’s latest plan to assassinate Trump, triggering an emergency aircraft switch during the NATO summit.
Trump himself admitted, 'They want to eliminate the American leader—that’s me. I’m on every single list. I guess I’ve had a bit of luck—though maybe not for much longer.'
At the sensitive moment of renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, Trump abruptly switched presidential aircraft during his attendance at a NATO summit—an unusual move prompted by critical intelligence from Israel indicating that Iran was plotting a new assassination attempt against Trump.
According to media reports on July 9, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Israel recently shared new intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran is considering a fresh plot to assassinate President Trump. The disclosure of this intelligence marks a new escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to journalists in Ankara, Trump also obliquely referenced threats to his personal safety, stating, 'They want to eliminate the American leader—that’s me,' and adding that he was 'on every single list.'
The aircraft switch occurred on July 8, as the NATO summit concluded. According to the Global Times, the U.S. Secret Service recommended that Trump urgently change planes as a precautionary security measure, not based on a specific threat warning. The move drew significant international attention and placed the personal security of the U.S. president amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions squarely in the public spotlight.
Aircraft swap details: New aircraft outbound, old aircraft return, switch back at RAF Mildenhall
During this NATO summit trip, Trump’s Air Force One arrangements were notably complex.
According to the Global Times, Trump departed for Turkey on the evening of July 6 aboard the newly upgraded version of Air Force One for the entire outbound journey. However, upon concluding the summit on July 8 and preparing to leave Ankara, he abruptly abandoned the new aircraft and instead returned aboard the older version of Air Force One. Meanwhile, the new Air Force One was scheduled to depart ahead of time, with both presidential aircraft arriving sequentially at RAF Mildenhall in the UK. Upon reaching the base, Trump switched once again to the new Air Force One for his final leg back to Washington.
Passengers traveling with Trump when departing Ankara were also instructed to close their window shades to maximize the president’s security.
When pressed by the media, Trump posted on Truth Social that the move was 'at the request of U.S. military personnel stationed at the base in the UK,' aimed at giving service members an opportunity to tour the new Air Force One, calling it 'a tribute to our brave troops.' The post included a photo of U.S. service members posing in front of the new aircraft, with Trump noting, 'They were really excited.'
Intelligence source: Israel alerts U.S. to Iran’s new assassination plot
According to media reports citing informed sources, Israel recently shared new intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran is plotting a fresh assassination attempt against Trump. The Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment, while Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The White House referred media inquiries to Trump’s previous public statements on the matter.
In an interview with reporters in Ankara, Trump stated: "They want to take out the U.S. leader—that’s me. I’m on every one of their lists. This morning I saw it—I’m on every single one of their lists. So far, I guess I’ve had a bit of luck, but that might not last much longer."
For years, Iran has publicly vowed to avenge Trump’s order during his first term to assassinate Qasem Soleimani, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mourners chanted calls for Trump’s death and unfurled banners reading, "We will kill Trump."
U.S.-Israel Relations: Phone Call During Summit, But Cracks Emerge
Trump’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has recently shown signs of strain due to diverging interests. Netanyahu advocates continuing military strikes against Iran to achieve further wartime objectives, whereas Trump seeks to exit the conflict, citing concerns that prolonged warfare could weigh on the global economy. The United States reached a fragile ceasefire agreement with Iran last month.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Trump and Netanyahu spoke by phone on Thursday and agreed to maintain "coordination between the two countries." Trump also briefed Netanyahu during the call on recent U.S. operations in the Gulf region. Media reports previously indicated that during the initial phase of the U.S.-Iran conflict, Netanyahu had provided Trump in late-night calls with details on potential targets and Israeli intelligence, but tensions have since surfaced in a series of strained conversations between the two leaders.
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