US-Iran war: Israel’s ‘assassination plot’ warning an attempt to sway Trump?

 Israel has shared new intelligence with the United States, claiming there is a fresh Iranian plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

The intelligence, if confirmed, comes at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran have already intensified due to the fresh fire exchange.

Iran has long vowed to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, who was assassinated in a US drone strike ordered by Trump during his first term as the US president.

The Israeli warning was conveyed this week, according to a CNN report. The US intelligence agencies had been tracking a steady stream of intelligence in recent weeks suggesting possible assassination plots targeting Trump. However, the Israeli warning was new because it referred to a specific alleged plot.

Some US officials, however, suggested the Israeli intelligence assessment could also be an attempt to influence Trump's decision-making as he considers whether to intensify American military action against Iran, the report added.

Relations between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appear to be warming after a recent chilly period caused by their different approaches to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Israeli leader has advocated for continuing the military engagement to accomplish additional objectives. In contrast, Trump has been looking for a way to de-escalate the conflict, citing worries that it could negatively impact the global economy.

On Thursday, the two leaders spoke once again, according to the Israeli prime minister's office. In a statement, the office said that Washington and Tel Aviv have agreed to continue their "coordination between the countries". Trump also updated Netanyahu on recent US activity in the Gulf.

The White House declined to comment directly on the reported intelligence, referring The Wall Street Journal and CNN to remarks Trump made on Wednesday. The president himself referred to threats against his life while speaking to reporters in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.

“They want to take out the US 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.”

At the funeral of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mourners chanted slogans calling for Trump's death and displayed a banner reading, “We Will Kill Trump.”