US Takes Out Iranian Behind Alleged Plot to Kill Trump

The U.S. military killed an Iranian official who allegedly orchestrated a 2024 plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, the Pentagon announced.  

“Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters just days after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran. 

Hegseth would not name the Iranian official killed in the attack.

“We’ve known for a long time that Iran had intentions on trying to kill President Trump and/or other U.S. Officials,” Hegseth said, adding that the U.S. attack on Iran was not focused on eliminating those responsible for the alleged plot. 

“We were focused on missiles and launchers, and that’s the focus, but ultimately, if we had the opportunity to get at those who are trying to get out Americans specifically, we would, and so, we eventually had the opportunity to do that from the air,” Hegseth explained.  

In 2024, the Justice Department announced it had charged an Iranian man in connection with an alleged plot ordered by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate Trump, then president-elect. 

Tehran has denied accusations that it had targeted Trump and other U.S. officials. 

The joint military operation also killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

Trump made reference to the alleged Iranian plot on Sunday, telling ABC News of Khamenei, “I got him before he got me.” 

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at Wednesday’s Pentagon briefing that the U.S. was expanding strikes to establish air superiority over Iran’s southern coast.

“We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory, and creating additional freedom of maneuver for U.S. forces,” Caine said. 

“U.S. Central Command is making steady progress,” according to Caine.  

Iran’s ballistic missile shots have fallen by 86%, according to Caine, “and their one-way attack drone shots are down 73% from the opening days.” 

Reuters contributed to this report.

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