Turkey suspects Israeli misinformation on alleged Iranian assassination plot against Trump to disrupt US-Iran talks

What happened

Middle East Eye reports that Turkish officials believe an Israeli intelligence report claiming Iran planned to assassinate US President Donald Trump during the July NATO summit in Ankara was fabricated. The alleged plot involved Iranian operatives targeting Trump’s Air Force One with shoulder-fired missiles within a close radius of Ankara Airport.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The heightened security response, including shifting Trump’s departure airport and switching to an older Air Force One with defensive systems, was driven by US Secret Service concerns and the physical proximity of civilian buildings around Ankara’s Etimesgut Air Base, used for the summit. The alleged threat was taken seriously in the context of Iran’s previously alleged assassination attempts against Trump-linked US figures in 2024.

Turkish officials interpret the timing of the Israeli intelligence report as politically motivated, coinciding with Trump’s efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran aimed at ending war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This contrasted with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s agenda of maintaining pressure on Iran through hostilities and targeted strikes on its infrastructure and leadership.

Known from the source

• Turkish officials suspect an Israeli intelligence report about an Iranian assassination plot against Trump was fabricated.
• The alleged plot involved shoulder-fired missiles targeting Air Force One during the NATO summit in Ankara on 7-8 July 2026.
• US officials took the report seriously, prompting additional security measures including moving Trump’s departure airport and switching his aircraft.
• Iran has denied targeting Trump or other US officials in assassination attempts.
• Trump was negotiating with Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the NATO summit timeframe.

What remains unclear

The report also surfaced amid Trump’s discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about improving bilateral ties, including potential lifting of sanctions on Turkey linked to its 2019 S-400 missile purchase and sales of F-35 fighter jets, a move that Israel opposes due to regional power balance concerns.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Whether Israeli intelligence agencies confirm, deny, or comment on the claim that the report was fabricated or exaggerated. US intelligence or Secret Service statements on the authenticity and handling of the threat. Any official statements from Iranian authorities acknowledging or denying the alleged plot.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Middle East Eye. Open the source.