US Officials Concerned Israel Shared Partial Intel to Influence Trump on Iran Threat

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that US officials are worried Israel provided partial intelligence about a possible assassination threat against President Donald Trump. This information reportedly aimed to influence US decisions on whether to reengage in full-scale conflict with Iran. According to the report, Trump’s decision to return to the US after the NATO summit in Turkey aboard an older Air Force One plane was influenced by Israeli intelligence about a potential assassination plot. The intelligence followed a New York Times report highlighting insufficient protective measures on the newer Air Force One gifted by Qatar. Some US officials questioned the credibility of the threat presented by Israel. Nevertheless, based on recommendations from US intelligence agencies and coordination with the White House and National Security Council, it was decided not to use the new aircraft under these circumstances. Sources suggested Israel’s sharing of this intelligence might have been intended to sway US policy decisions, noting that a single intelligence detail can offer only a partial view of the threat. They also noted Iran understands that any attack on Trump could provoke a severe US military response. The Israeli embassy in Washington responded by emphasizing that intelligence sharing with the US is part of close bilateral cooperation and not an attempt to push a hidden agenda or promote war.