Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an explosive accusation on Fox News, claiming Iran orchestrated two separate assassination attempts against President Donald Trump as part of its ongoing hostility toward America and its leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu claimed Iran tried to assassinate President Trump twice through proxies and intelligence operations, viewing him as “enemy number one” for his opposition to their nuclear program.
- President Trump recently rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, considering it potentially destabilizing for the Middle East.
- While the Biden DOJ has charged an Iranian operative in a separate assassination plot against Trump, U.S. officials have not confirmed Iran’s direct involvement in the 2024 assassination attempts.
- Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has denied any Iranian involvement in plots to kill Trump.
- Netanyahu used these allegations to justify Israel’s recent missile strikes against Iran, framing them as efforts to prevent nuclear weapons development.
Netanyahu’s Explosive Claims Against Iran
In a startling interview with Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of orchestrating two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump. Netanyahu claimed these attempts were carried out through proxies and intelligence operations, emphasizing that Iran views Trump as a primary adversary due to his firm stance against their nuclear ambitions. The Israeli leader used these allegations to help justify Israel’s recent missile strikes on Iranian territory, framing them as necessary actions to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability.
When pressed by Fox News anchor Bret Baier for evidence of Iran’s direct involvement in the assassination attempts, Netanyahu doubled down on his claims. “Through proxies, yes. Through their intel, yes. They want to kill him,” Netanyahu stated firmly. These allegations come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with Netanyahu positioning Israel’s actions as defensive measures not only for its security but for global stability, particularly against what he characterizes as an Iranian regime determined to threaten American interests and leaders.
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 Rejection of Israeli Assassination Plan
In a notable development that underscores the complex dynamics at play, President Trump recently rejected an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump reportedly viewed this plan as potentially destabilizing for the Middle East region. When asked about this rejection, Netanyahu carefully avoided direct confirmation while emphasizing Israel’s sovereignty in its defense decisions. “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.
“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.
Meanwhile, President Trump has issued strong warnings to Iran against any retaliatory actions against American targets. “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,” Trump declared, demonstrating his administration’s readiness to respond decisively to any Iranian aggression. Despite these tensions, Trump has expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a diplomatic resolution, while acknowledging the complex realities of the situation.
Contrasting Narratives and Evidence
Despite Netanyahu’s claims, U.S. officials have not publicly connected Iran to the two 2024 assassination attempts against President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The Justice Department has charged Iranian operative Farhad Shakeri in a separate plot to assassinate Trump, but this case appears unrelated to the incidents Netanyahu referenced. This disconnect raises questions about the evidence behind Netanyahu’s assertions and the extent to which they might be strategically timed to justify Israel’s recent military actions against Iran.
“You just said Iran tried to assassinate President Trump twice. Do you have intel that the assassination attempts on President Trump were directly from Iran?” said Bret Baier.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has categorically denied any Iranian involvement in assassination plots against Trump, creating a direct contradiction to Netanyahu’s claims. The timing of Netanyahu’s allegations—coming shortly after Israel’s missile strikes on Iran and amid discussions about potential deals regarding Iran’s nuclear program—suggests potential strategic motivations behind these public statements. Netanyahu has positioned Trump as a decisive leader who took strong action against Iran by withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement, a move the Israeli prime minister has consistently praised.
Strategic Implications for U.S.-Israel Relations
These developments reveal a nuanced dynamic in U.S.-Israel relations under the Trump administration. While expressing strong support for Israel, President Trump has demonstrated his willingness to make independent decisions regarding Iran, including declining the Khamenei assassination proposal. This indicates a pragmatic approach that balances robust support for Israel with America’s broader strategic interests in the Middle East. The situation underscores the complex calculations involved in addressing Iran’s regional activities and nuclear ambitions.
“I hope there is going to be a deal, and we’ll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out,” said Donald Trump.
Within Trump’s circle of advisors and allies, there are divergent views on the appropriate level of U.S. support for Israel in its confrontation with Iran. Some advocate for restraint and diplomatic solutions, while others, like Senator Lindsey Graham, suggest that if diplomatic efforts fail, the U.S. should be prepared to support Israel militarily against Iran’s nuclear program. These discussions will likely be a significant topic at the upcoming Group of Seven leaders’ summit, where international approaches to the Israel-Iran tensions will be deliberated.
