Key facts
- Donald Trump was reportedly moved off Air Force One in Turkey using an elaborate security maneuver.
- The action suggests a credible Iranian threat to assassinate Trump, surprising US officials.
- Experts note Iran's serious pursuit of revenge for past actions, including the killing of Qassem Suleimani.
- US officials have long accused Iran of seeking to assassinate Trump, with specific allegations in 2024 and July of this year.
- Iran has a history of using terrorism as a foreign policy tool, with past attacks in Argentina cited.
- Despite threats, authorities have not yet reported a specific Iran-linked homeland plot, though capabilities may be diminished.
An elaborate security maneuver to spirit Donald Trump off Air Force One in Turkey last month indicates a credible Iranian threat of assassination, surprising many in Washington. The incident suggests that Iran's desire for revenge, particularly following the killing of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials in February, remains a significant concern.
Experts like Colin P Clarke of The Soufan Center noted that the unusual lengths taken to protect Trump, potentially leaving others on the jet as targets, were "not a good look" and could be perceived as making him appear "weak." Clarke added that threats against Trump have persisted since before the war and would not cease even with a ceasefire, emphasizing Iran's determination to act against him.
US officials have long accused Iran of seeking to assassinate Trump. In 2024, Manhattan federal prosecutors stated the Iranian government had ordered an operative to kill Trump for his role in the killing of Qassem Suleimani. In July, Israel shared intelligence with the US about a new Iranian plan. Additionally, an Iraqi militant was alleged to have ties to Iranian officials and considered targeting Ivanka Trump. Senior officials like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton were also reportedly under threat.
Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted Iran's serious approach to revenge and its history of using terrorism as a foreign policy tool. He pointed to past bombings in Buenos Aires as examples of Iran's methods. Hoffman suggested that Iran would capitalize on any perceived threat, finding satisfaction in the attention it generates.
However, Matthew Levitt of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted in May that authorities had not yet reported a specific Iran-linked homeland plot, despite lone attackers acting due to the war. Levitt argued that Iran's capability to execute such attacks might have been diminished by damage to its security and intelligence agencies, particularly those involved in external operations. Despite this, Iran's apparent determination to create a credible threat against Trump sends a message of escalation and a readiness for revenge.
Clarke emphasized that the conflict is far from over and that Iran's past patience in planning attacks should be considered. Hoffman added that Iran remains "emboldened" and "not cowed or deterred," which has significant implications for war negotiations and the White House's strategy for ending the conflict.