Trump addresses alleged Iranian assassination plot and announces retaliation

The threat was nothing new for him, Trump continued. "I have been at the top (of Iran's death list) for a long time, and that's just how life is, you know," he was quoted as saying. The "New York Post" reported on the conversation on Friday.

Background to the reports

The background to the reports is investigations by US authorities examining a possible Tehran plan. The leadership in Tehran is said to have drawn up the plan only recently, as the broadcaster CNN and the "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing unnamed sources. The US government has not publicly commented on the allegations in detail so far.

Trump himself, however, suggested in the conversation with the "New York Post" that there were no new plans on the part of Iran. The discrepancy between the media reports and Trump's account initially remained unresolved. Neither the White House nor Iranian officials commented officially on request.

Tensions between the US and Iran have intensified significantly in recent months. Israel plays a central role in this context, as Iran considers Israel its declared main adversary and the US is regarded as the Jewish state's most important ally. Reports of direct threats against US officials are not uncommon in this environment.

Escalation in the US-Iran conflict

Trump has repeatedly threatened military force against Iran in the past. Only recently he declared that a ceasefire in the Iran war was "over." The latest remarks underscore the US president's readiness to consider a massive military response in the event of a conflict.

Observers in Washington view the public raising of an assassination plot as an unusual step. US intelligence agencies and government bodies usually withhold such information to avoid jeopardizing ongoing investigations. The fact that Trump himself made the matter public is interpreted as a deliberate escalation.

A response from Tehran is pending. Iranian state media have not commented on the reports so far. The international community has also not yet officially addressed the allegations. The coming days are considered decisive in determining whether tensions will escalate further or diplomatic channels will take hold.

Reactions and open questions

Security experts point out that the threat level for the US president has been classified as high for years. Following earlier threats, the US government had already significantly tightened security measures around the president and his venues. Special protective measures also apply aboard Air Force One.

The "New York Post" is one of the highest-circulation tabloids in the US and is known for its Trump-friendly reporting. The fact that this particular medium published the president's retaliation threat raises questions about the White House's strategic communications.

Overall, the situation remains unclear: while CNN and the "Wall Street Journal" report on a newly drawn-up assassination plan, Trump himself downplays the threat. The discrepancy between intelligence reports and the president's public remarks could further strain the already tense relationship between Washington and Tehran.