Key facts
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of relying on faulty intelligence, leading to miscalculations like the war on Iran.
- US analysts reportedly doubted the credibility of an Israeli warning about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump during his visit to Turkey.
- Turkish officials reportedly viewed the Israeli warning as a ruse to undermine negotiations with Tehran.
- Iran asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy route.
- A US senator raised concerns about the prolonged deployment and deteriorating conditions for sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Iran has accused the United States of making critical miscalculations due to faulty intelligence, particularly concerning an alleged Israeli plot to assassinate President Donald Trump during his recent visit to Turkey. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Washington "has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures," citing the war on Iran and actions in the Strait of Hormuz as examples.
Reports from The Washington Post and Middle East Eye suggest that Turkish officials viewed an Israeli warning about an Iranian assassination plot against Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara as a potential ruse. The intelligence, passed from Israel to the CIA, was reportedly deemed unconvincing by US analysts, who cautioned administration officials about its low credibility. This warning, however, led to security officials arranging for Trump to depart Turkey on an alternative aircraft after a secret plane switch.
President Trump confirmed the security operation, stating he followed his security team's directives. The dispute over the Israeli intelligence emerges amid ongoing declarations about control of the Strait of Hormuz. Hossein Taeb, commander of the Basij paramilitary unit, asserted that the waterway is "under Iran’s control and management," attributing this to the "power of the Islamic revolution."
Separately, Araghchi criticized Western governments, including France, for condemning Iran's human rights record while supporting Israel's actions in Gaza and its "aggression against Iran." He called their stance "blatant and embarrassing hypocrisy."
Meanwhile, US Senator Richard Blumenthal has called for explanations from War Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Navy regarding the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier has been deployed for over 250 consecutive days, marking an exceptionally long uninterrupted deployment. Reports indicate widespread issues including supply shortages, plumbing problems, and deteriorating mental health among the 5,000 sailors and marines, with some instances of crew members attempting to jump overboard.