Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s explosive claim that Iran attempted to assassinate President Trump twice has unleashed a firestorm of controversy and heightened tensions in an already volatile Middle East situation.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu claims Iran organized two assassination attempts against President Trump through proxies, calling him Iran’s “Enemy No. 1”
- The U.S. Department of Justice has charged an Iranian operative in a separate plot to assassinate Trump, though no official connection has been established with the 2024 incidents
- President Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, viewing it as potentially destabilizing for the region
- Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has categorically denied any Iranian involvement in plots against Trump
- Netanyahu used these claims to justify Israel’s recent missile strikes against Iran as protection against nuclear threats
Netanyahu Makes Explosive Accusation Against Iran
In a recent Fox News interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the extraordinary claim that Iran orchestrated two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump. Netanyahu’s assertion comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with the Israeli leader using these alleged plots to justify his country’s recent military strikes against Iranian targets. When asked directly by Fox News anchor Bret Baier about evidence linking Iran to the attempts on Trump’s life, Netanyahu responded definitively that Iran was behind the plots “through proxies” and “through their intel,” adding ominously, “They want to kill him.”
Netanyahu’s inflammatory statements link Iran to a pattern of anti-American actions, including past attacks on U.S. Marines in Beirut and soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. “These people who chant, death to America, tried to assassinate President Trump twice, kill 241 of your Marines in Beirut, killed and injured thousands of American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, try to bomb a restaurant in Washington D.C., chant death to America, burn the American flag, do you want these people to have nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them to your cities? Of course not. So we’re defending ourselves, but we’re also defending the world,” said Benjamin Netanyahu during his Fox News interview.
Netanyahu Makes Explosive Claim That Iran Was Behind the Two Assassination Attempts Against Trump in Fox News Interview https://t.co/Dm9GPzRzPl
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) June 15, 2025
Trump’s Response to Regional Tensions
President Trump has taken a characteristically strong stance regarding Iran while simultaneously showing diplomatic restraint toward broader regional conflict. Reports indicate that Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, viewing such action as potentially destabilizing for the entire Middle East. This position demonstrates Trump’s strategic approach to foreign policy that balances strength with pragmatism. When questioned about this decision, Netanyahu carefully avoided direct confirmation but emphasized Israel’s sovereign decision-making.
“If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” warned Donald Trump, making it clear that while he prefers negotiation, America stands ready to respond decisively to any Iranian aggression.
Despite tensions, Trump has maintained optimism about potential diplomatic solutions, stating, “I hope there is going to be a deal, and we’ll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out.” This balanced approach has become a hallmark of Trump’s foreign policy, which prioritizes American interests while attempting to avoid unnecessary military entanglements. The president has highlighted his past success in de-escalating international conflicts, including disputes between India and Pakistan, as evidence of his diplomatic capabilities.
Iran Denies Involvement as Evidence Remains Unclear
U.S. officials have not confirmed any direct link between Iran and the two 2024 incidents where Trump was targeted – the shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a separate incident at his Florida golf course. Despite Netanyahu’s confident assertions, the Biden Department of Justice has only charged Iranian operative Farhad Shakeri in a separate assassination plot against Trump, unrelated to the incidents Netanyahu referenced. The lack of official U.S. confirmation raises questions about the Israeli Prime Minister’s claims.
“Through proxies, yes. Through their intel, yes. They want to kill him,” stated Benjamin Netanyahu when pressed for evidence of Iran’s involvement in the assassination attempts, though he did not elaborate on what specific intelligence supported this conclusion.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has vehemently denied any Iranian involvement in plots to kill Trump, creating a direct contradiction to Netanyahu’s claims. However, Netanyahu insists that Iran views Trump as a significant threat specifically because of his decisive leadership in withdrawing from the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement and imposing crippling sanctions. The Israeli leader has used these assertions to justify recent missile strikes on Iran, which he claims were aimed at curbing its nuclear program and preventing the development of nuclear weapons.
Implications for U.S.-Israel Relations
These developments highlight the complex dynamics between the U.S. and Israel as they navigate shared concerns about Iran’s regional ambitions. Netanyahu revealed that he had informed Trump and U.S. officials before launching strikes against Iran, showing coordination between the allies despite some strategic differences. A notable divide exists among Trump’s advisors regarding the extent of U.S. support for Israel, with some advocating restraint while others, like GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, suggest more aggressive measures if diplomacy fails.
“But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we’ll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States,” Netanyahu stated, carefully asserting Israel’s autonomy while acknowledging the importance of U.S. relations.
President Trump has walked a careful line, expressing strong support for Israel while also suggesting that military action could potentially hinder negotiations with Iran. While Netanyahu has expressed openness to negotiations if Iran meets Trump’s demands to eliminate enrichment capacity, planned talks with Iran were canceled in the wake of recent tensions. The situation continues to develop as a significant topic at international forums, including the recent Group of Seven leaders summit, with potential consequences for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
