Iran Behind Failed Assassination Plots Against Trump, Says Netanyahu

(LibertySociety.com) – Netanyahu claims Iran orchestrated two assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign, while Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in a shocking twist of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Key Takeaways

• Netanyahu alleged Iran was behind two failed assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign, including the Butler, PA shooting and a West Palm Beach incident
• Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on June 14, 2025
• Netanyahu has been pushing rhetoric suggesting Israel’s military actions could lead to regime change in Iran
• The conflict marks a significant escalation from proxy warfare to direct engagement between Israel and Iran
• Netanyahu’s claims appear aimed at bolstering US-Israel solidarity while justifying preemptive strikes against Iran

Netanyahu’s Explosive Allegations Against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made shocking claims that Iran orchestrated two failed assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. According to Netanyahu, these attempts were direct retaliation for Trump’s 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, and ongoing efforts to block Iran’s nuclear program. The accusations represent a significant escalation in rhetoric as Israel continues its military campaign against Iranian targets.

The first alleged assassination attempt occurred at Trump’s July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks reportedly missed Trump’s ear by inches before being killed by Secret Service. The second incident took place at Trump’s West Palm Beach Golf Club, where a man named Ryan Routh was arrested on Trump’s property with a weapon, though no shots were fired. Netanyahu has framed these incidents as evidence that Trump is Iran’s “enemy number one.”

Trump’s Surprising Veto of Khamenei Assassination Plan

In a remarkable development that highlights the complex dynamics between the United States and Israel, U.S. officials confirmed that Israel had an opportunity to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on June 14, 2025. However, former President Trump rejected the plan, reportedly telling Israeli officials it was “not a good idea.” This decision reveals Trump’s strategic calculation about regional stability despite his historically tough stance on Iran.

When questioned about the reported veto, Netanyahu neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such a plan but emphasized Israel’s right to act unilaterally against Iran’s nuclear and missile threats. The revelation exposes tensions between U.S. caution and Israeli aggression in dealing with the Iranian regime, with Trump reportedly remarking, “Sometimes they have to fight it out,” suggesting a preference for allowing regional powers to resolve their conflicts without direct U.S. military intervention.

Netanyahu’s Push for Regime Change in Iran

Beyond the assassination allegations, Netanyahu has increasingly suggested that Israel’s military strikes on Iran could lead to regime change, stating that such actions are “not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict.” While publicly denying regime change as an explicit goal of Israeli operations, his rhetoric has closely aligned with U.S. commentators like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, who have speculated about potential White House support for overturning Tehran’s leadership.

“It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict,” Netanyahu stated, implying that decisive military action against Iran could lead to the collapse of the current regime. This language represents a significant shift in Israel’s public posture toward Iran and suggests a more ambitious strategic objective beyond simply degrading Iran’s military capabilities.

Escalation from Proxy War to Direct Conflict

The recent exchanges between Israel and Iran mark a historic shift from decades of proxy warfare to direct engagement between the two regional powers. Iran has launched missiles directly at Tel Aviv, while Israel has targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites. This escalation represents one of the most dangerous periods in Middle Eastern geopolitics in recent memory, with the potential for miscalculation extremely high.

“The Iranian regime, which is the most dangerous regime in the world, is trying to surround Israel with a ring of fire,” Netanyahu claimed in recent statements, justifying Israel’s aggressive posture. “We have the right and the duty to defend ourselves against this aggression, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides. Military analysts warn that further escalation could draw in other regional powers and potentially even global superpowers with interests in the region, creating a powder keg situation that threatens stability across the Middle East.

Strategic Motivations Behind Netanyahu’s Claims

Netanyahu’s decision to publicly link Iran to attacks on Trump appears calculated to bolster U.S.-Israel solidarity while simultaneously justifying preemptive strikes against Iranian targets. By framing Iran as a threat not just to Israel but to American leadership, Netanyahu appeals directly to U.S. security concerns and strengthens the case for continued American support of Israeli military operations against Iran.

The timing of these allegations coincides with increased international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign and growing calls for restraint from European allies and some segments of the American political establishment. By highlighting alleged Iranian plots against Trump, Netanyahu effectively shifts the narrative from questions about Israeli military actions to Iran’s purported aggression against Western leaders.

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