Former President Donald Trump has been briefed by U.S. intelligence officials about a suspected Iranian plot to assassinate him, according to a statement from his campaign.
The briefing, conducted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), focused on what Trump’s team described as ““real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate [Trump] in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States.”
“Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months, and law enforcement officials across all agencies are working to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is free from interference,” Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung said.
The alleged Iranian plot is believed to be distinct from two recent domestic assassination attempts on Trump.
In July, a gunman killed a rally attendee in Pennsylvania and a bullet struck Trump’s ear before the would-be assassin was fatally shot by a Secret Service agent. Earlier this month, another attempt was foiled at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when a Secret Service agent fired on an armed man spotted lurking in bushes just a few hundred meters from Trump.
Trump addressed the threats on social media —
Big threats on my life by Iran. The entire U.S. Military is watching and waiting. Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again. Not a good situation for anyone. I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before. Thank you…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2024
The Iranians desire revenge is reportedly over Trump’s 2020 order to kill Iranian General Qassim Soleimani, who coordinated radical Islamic terror attacks around the globe. Iran has denied involvement in any assassination plots against Trump.
Intelligence reports also suggest Iran is conducting ongoing cyber attacks against Trump’s campaign.
U.S. intelligence officials revealed that Iranian hackers stole materials from the Trump campaign and attempted to disseminate them to media outlets and sent them to the campaign of then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The situation has prompted calls for a unified, bipartisan response to Iran’s actions.
Critics argue that the Biden administration should immediately take stronger measures, including reinforcing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and increasing support for actions against Iranian proxies in the Middle East.
Trump’s campaign has contrasted the current administration’s weakness with Trump’s “strength and resolve.”
Cheung stated, “Make no mistake, the terror regime in Iran loves the weakness of Kamala Harris, and is terrified of the strength and resolve of President Trump.”
The threats against Trump have raised concerns about election integrity and foreign interference in the upcoming presidential race.