Trump-era assassinations fuel Iran war endgame tensions
The killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli operation in February 2025 has escalated calls for revenge against US President Donald Trump. This follows the 2020 assassination of General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport, which had already prompted Iranian vows to target Trump and his top aides. Israeli officials recently warned Trump's team of new Iranian plots to kill him, citing intelligence. US law enforcement has tracked Iranian efforts for years, with signals increasing since the war began. At Khamenei's funeral ceremonies, protesters flew red vengeance flags and chanted for the government to "kill Trump." The assassinations mark a new paradigm in international relations, with Iran authorizing attempts on the lives of Trump, his secretary of state, and national security adviser even after they left office.
Key facts
- US President Donald Trump ended a ceasefire with Iran this week.
- Israeli officials presented intelligence of Iranian plots to kill Trump.
- Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in 2020.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli operation in February 2025.
- Iranian protesters at Khamenei's funeral called for the government to kill Trump.
- Red flags of vengeance were flown throughout Tehran during the funeral ceremonies.
- Iran has authorized attempts on the lives of Trump, his secretary of state, and national security adviser.
- The assassinations represent a new paradigm in international relations.
Entities
Locations
- Iran
- Tehran
- Baghdad International Airport
- Iraq
- United States
- Israel
- Venezuela