IRANIAN PLOT TO KILL TRUMP RAISES CONCERNS, INCREASING MILITARY PROTECTION
There continues to be an Iranian plot to kill Trump, stemming back from his administration’s decision to kill high-ranking Iranian military member, Qassem Soleimani. Since the drone strike in 2020, U.S. officials have been dealing with ongoing threats. They’re not only directed at Donald Trump, but also his aides, allies, and other officials. Even as the election reaches its apex, the Iranian plot to kill Donald Trump continues to lurk behind the scenes. This is why the Republican nominee is still seeking more military protection—even as American officials are unsure how to ensure adequate security.
Iranian Plot to Kill Trump Deemed a Credible Threat
U.S. officials are aware of the Iranian plot to kill Trump and remain increasingly concerned that they aren’t a hoax. The U.S. detected the Iranian plot to kill Trump years ago. However, there are rising tensions in the Middle East, with several incidents occurring throughout the years. There is also a consorted effort to help protect the former President and his staff. Iran’s plan to assassinate Trump has openly targeted him through the use of propaganda videos, arrest requests, and calls for revenge from those outraged by the 2020 drone strike. For months in 2024, U.S. intelligence warned the Trump campaign that the threat was escalating. Keep in mind that the two failed attempts during the summer of 2024 were not connected to Iran. But, officials have now realized that Iranian efforts go farther and more aggressively than they once believed to be true. The Justice Department acknowledges the seriousness of the threat; however, notable lapses in security could be exploited. While Trump is receiving extensive protection efforts, not all officials do. This means many facing similar threats from Iran have been facing them without the use of government security and military resources. Several well-informed people with inside knowledge of Iran’s plot to assassinate Trump have echoed the idea that what started as online chatter and propaganda is now known to be a legitimate concern for all parties involved. Furthermore, the threats go further than just assassination attempts and include hacking and digital surveillance. The threat is also involving the families of previous officials who are tied to the Soleimani drone strike. It’s known that suspected Iranian operatives have attempted to follow U.S. officials abroad as part of the assassination efforts. This is sparking ongoing tense discussions about how to safeguard individuals while responding to continuous Iranian plots.
How the Killing of Soleimani Got Us Here
When the attack took place, everyone knew the response could be heavy. Soleimani was the leader of Iran’s Quds Force and was responsible for starting numerous conflicts in the Middle East through proxy wars and terrorism. Furthermore, Soleimani and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were close as military partners if not simply downright friends. All of which complicated things that much more. Nevertheless, once The Pentagon determined that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths or injuries of thousands of Americans in Iraq, Trump was ready to act. To save more Americans, the 2020 U.S. drone strike on Soleimani took place, which Iran would view as a major violation of sovereignty because he was a high-ranking military leader. While Iran did shoot missiles at American troops in Iraq, thankfully, no casualties were reported. For a minute, it seemed as if Iran was going to move on. However, this didn’t last and proxy attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq continued for months as retaliation. In addition to these strikes, Iran began focusing on targeting specific U.S. officials involved in the decision, which is how we got here today. Many leaders in Iran continue to call for retaliation and specifically look to kill Trump and others who decided to conduct the strike as a result.
Iranian Plot to Kill Trump Unlikely to Work but Nothing New for Security Personnel
The U.S. government is still grappling with how to address the growing threat from Iran, leaving some former officials vulnerable to Tehran's assassination plots. This is why the Trump campaign requested more security, as aides and former National Security Council (NSC) members lack proper protection. This is despite nearly $150 million annually spent protecting former U.S. officials. Some NSC officials spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on private security for themselves and their families. Iran’s threats are taken seriously by the Biden administration. They have warned of severe consequences if any U.S. citizens are harmed. They are actively asking Iran to cease all assassination attempts on Donald Trump. Even the assassination of a lower-profile former official could escalate tensions. And it could potentially be seen as an act of war by the U.S. Iran’s surveillance efforts include monitoring the travel schedules and daily routines of more than half a dozen former officials. This is causing FBI agents to regularly issue briefings on potential assassination attempts. The good news is that suspected attacks on officials have been foiled by American security forces in the past. Additionally, it’s overall believed that Iran isn’t sophisticated enough to execute an attack, particularly, within the United States. However, it only takes one thing to go wrong and chaos will ensue. Seven high-profile former Trump administration officials are currently under government protection, including Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook. It’s hard to say what a successful Iranian plot to kill Trump would look like. However, the aftermath would surely lead to war between our nations in a volatile region already reeling from multiple acts of aggression. Suggested reads: