CIA Questions Israeli Intelligence on Iranian Assassination Threat Against Trump in Turkey

American intelligence officials expressed skepticism about an alleged Iranian assassination threat against then-President Donald Trump, based on intelligence provided by Israel. The Washington Post reported that Israeli warnings led to a secret operation on July 8, during which Trump was covertly flown out of Turkey on a military plane, while Air Force One took off without him as a decoy. The CIA analysts reportedly found the Israeli intelligence unconvincing and conveyed their doubts to senior Trump administration officials. One source described the threat reports as originating from Israel with low credibility.

The deception operation took place after the NATO summit in Ankara, following renewed U.S. strikes on Iran. Trump’s real location was concealed for hours from the public, journalists, and many White House officials. The president initially appeared to board Air Force One but secretly exited through a different door using a catering truck to avoid detection, then was transported to a smaller military aircraft (C-32A) for departure to the UK.

CBS and the Wall Street Journal previously reported that U.S. intelligence identified a credible plot to fire a missile at Trump’s plane, prompting a rapid switch to a backup plan. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Herzog, confirmed the intelligence came from Israel. Despite doubts about the intelligence’s reliability, U.S. security services proceeded with caution, given previous near-miss incidents involving Trump.

Some American intelligence officials viewed Israel’s warning as intended more to influence Trump’s policy decisions than to provide purely factual updates. Others questioned the severity of the threat, noting the extensive Turkish security presence at the NATO summit. Meanwhile, Democratic members of Congress have called for greater transparency about the deception operation and the intelligence’s credibility. Senator Chris Van Hollen expressed skepticism about the intelligence’s authenticity and whether it was independently verified.

The New York Times recently added details about the Iranian plot, citing U.S. officials who said the threat involved a specific ground-to-air missile attack and that an individual was seen with a shoulder-fired missile near the summit. It was also reported that Iran knew Trump’s exact location in Ankara, including the floor of the building where he stayed. The White House declined to comment directly on the intelligence but emphasized ongoing efforts to protect the president.