Former President Donald Trump was briefed on Tuesday about “real and specific threats” from Iran to assassinate him, according to his campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have been tracking these threats as part of the Islamic Republic’s broader strategy to “destabilize and sow chaos” in the United States, said Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director.
This briefing follows previous intelligence assessments earlier this summer, where officials identified a potential Iranian assassination plot against Trump. The threat level has since heightened, with law enforcement across various agencies now working to ensure the safety of the former president and protect the integrity of the 2024 election.
“Iran loves the weakness of Kamala Harris but is terrified of President Trump’s strength and resolve,” said Cheung. “He will not let anything stop him from fighting for the American people and Making America Great Again.”
While this is not the first time such threats have emerged, the Trump campaign emphasized the seriousness of the current situation. Iran has been linked to coordinated cyberattacks, including hacking attempts targeting both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns. Iranian hackers reportedly breached Trump’s campaign this summer, leaking sensitive materials to people associated with Biden’s re-election team. Officials, however, said there is no indication that these documents were used or acted upon.
In addition to Iran’s efforts, both Russia and China have also engaged in disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing American elections. While Iran appears focused on undermining Trump, Russian influence campaigns reportedly favor Trump, viewing him as skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine.
This remains a developing story, with intelligence officials continuing to monitor threats and disinformation activities from foreign actors. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the 2024 election remains free from interference.