According to a report by the Saudi Gazette citing The Washington Post, US intelligence officials expressed skepticism regarding an Iranian assassination threat against President Donald Trump that was relayed by Israeli intelligence. The information reportedly prompted an extraordinary security maneuver during the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, which saw the President secretly depart on an alternate military aircraft rather than the traditional Air Force One.
Citing current and former American officials, the report indicates that CIA analysts did not find the Israeli-provided intelligence compelling. One official characterized the reporting as 'Israeli-derived, not US-generated' and noted that it was viewed by the intelligence community as having low confidence. Despite these internal doubts, the administration proceeded with the clandestine flight change as a precautionary measure.
The incident highlights the complexities of intelligence sharing and security protocols during high-level international summits. While the threat was ultimately treated with caution, the divergence between Israeli intelligence assessments and the CIA's internal evaluation underscores the challenges in verifying sensitive security information in real-time. The White House has not yet provided a formal comment on the specific details of the flight maneuver.
The story is based on reporting from The Washington Post, which cites current and former US officials regarding internal intelligence assessments. While the claims are sourced to anonymous officials, the report provides specific details regarding the timing and nature of the security measures taken during the NATO summit.
No corroborating trusted sources found.
Original report: Saudi Gazette