It is evident that Israel openly desires the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Thursday that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “,” just days after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared that the U.S. is aware of Khamenei’s whereabouts but is refraining from killing him “.”
Other matters are less certain, depending on the source.
“I’ve never encountered that information previously,” former Fox News host replied with surprise after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asserted that Iran has attempted—and continues to attempt—to assassinate Trump. “We ought to launch an immediate assault on Iran if that proves accurate,” Carlson, a prominent figure in the anti-war faction of the , sarcastically added.
Cruz contended that he does not believe a U.S. military strike on Iran or the killing of Khamenei would be the most suitable reaction to the perceived threat against the U.S. President, but he maintained that “no one disputes” Iran’s ongoing efforts to assassinate Trump. “It’s an undeniable truth,” Cruz following the interview.
A , potentially involving targeting Khamenei, , despite Trump’s political initiatives focused on “.” However, it is improbable that this would be in response to an Iranian assassination attempt—unless such an attempt succeeds.
Earlier this year, Trump stated he had commanded the total destruction of the Iranian state should it assassinate him.
“That action would be dreadful for them,” he reporters in February. “Not for my sake. Should they undertake that, they would be wiped out. That would signify their conclusion. I have provided directives: if they do it, they will be obliterated. Nothing would remain.”
Iran engages in , typically and not uniformly successful. Iranian authorities have also been to assassinate Trump for years since he commanded the of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who commanded the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, in January 2020.
Nonetheless, even as the U.S. has prosecuted alleged would-be assassins, Iran has disclaimed any past attempts to target Trump.
Politico reported last July that U.S. intelligence agencies had gathered growing indications that Iran was actively developing schemes to assassinate Trump. Neither of the attempts on Trump’s life that summer in , or , have been connected to Iran, although the expressed backing for Iran in published works. However, around that period, a 46-year-old Pakistani citizen identified as was apprehended in Texas and accused of attempting to kill high-ranking U.S. politicians or officials—potentially including Trump—allegedly at Iran’s behest.
“We have not been informed of any reports regarding this issue from the U.S. Government,” a representative for Iran’s United Nations Mission CNN at the time. “Nonetheless, it is apparent that the method of operation in question goes against the Iranian Government’s policy of legally pursuing the individual responsible for General Soleimani’s death.”
In September, Trump’s campaign disclosed he had received briefings on “actual and precise threats from Iran to assassinate him.”
“Significant threats to my life by Iran,” Trump posted on social media. “The entirety of the U.S. Military is observing and prepared. Actions previously taken by Iran were unsuccessful, but they will attempt again.”
The Biden Administration conveyed a caution through Switzerland in September that any assassination attempt against Trump would be considered an act of war. In response, Iran stated in October—again through Swiss diplomatic channels—that it would not endeavor to kill Trump, as U.S. officials the Wall Street Journal.
In November 2024, subsequent to Trump’s election, the Justice Department filed charges against a 51-year-old Afghan citizen named Farhad Shakeri, who was purportedly assigned by Iranian authorities to devise a scheme to monitor and assassinate Trump.
“A new narrative is being created,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X. “The American populace has reached their conclusion. And Iran honors their right to choose the President of their liking. The future direction is also a choice. It commences with mutual regard.” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei asserted the accusations were components of a “detestable” scheme by Israel to undermine U.S.-Iran relations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian informed NBC in January that Iran “never tried” to assassinate Trump, “and we never will.”
“This represents another one of those plots that Israel and other nations are devising to foster Iranophobia,” Pezeshkian commented. “Iran has never endeavored nor does it intend to assassinate anyone. At least to my knowledge.”
, who disrupted by and is attempting to convince Trump to approve more direct U.S. military , asserted in a on Sunday that Iran proactively sought to assassinate Trump because he is “assertive” and “resolute.”
“They intend to kill him,” Netanyahu maintained. “He is their primary adversary.”