Donald Trump targeted in alleged Iranian plot as NATO summit tensions rise

Iran is reported to have been capable of attacking U.S. President Donald Trump during his appearance at the NATO summit in Ankara, but chose not to. Israeli officials warned the White House of a specific Iranian assassination scheme, a claim that U.S. intelligence agencies view with skepticism, suspecting it may serve Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political agenda.

Trump said he was placed on Iran’s “death list” and, citing security concerns, departed Turkey on an older government jet instead of a luxury aircraft. Despite the heightened threat environment, U.S. officials say diplomatic talks on a nuclear agreement with Iran continue, and the U.S. military has refrained from further strikes to give diplomacy a chance. The episode underscores the broader regional strain involving the United States, Iran, Israel and Turkey.

Netanyahu’s push for a tougher stance on Tehran is seen by some U.S. officials as an attempt to influence Trump’s policy, while the president has publicly declared the previous framework agreement with Iran terminated.