Trump Assassination Plot Leader Killed in Iran Amid U.S. Strikes

WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Iranian leader responsible for coordinating an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was killed in recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran. The announcement came during a Pentagon briefing, where Hegseth lauded the “incredible” results of the ongoing joint U.S. and Israeli military operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” now in its fourth day.

Hegseth did not name the individual but stated that “the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed” as part of the strikes. This development marks a significant escalation and a direct response to long-standing threats against the former president, further intensifying the already volatile U.S.-Iran relationship.

Iranian Leader Targeted in U.S. Strikes

During his briefing, Defense Secretary Hegseth highlighted the elimination of the unnamed Iranian official, stating, “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.” He clarified that while the broader military operation was not solely focused on this individual, those responsible for the assassination plot were deliberately included on the target list. “We’ve known for a long time that Iran had intentions on trying to kill President Trump and or other U.S. officials,” Hegseth told reporters, underscoring the premeditated nature of the targeting.

Former President Trump himself weighed in on the development, telling ABC News’ Jonathan Karl earlier this week, “I got him before he got me.” Trump added, referring to previous attempts on his life, “They tried twice. Well, I got him first.” The strikes, which began Saturday, have been part of a wider campaign that has also reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as confirmed by U.S. officials earlier this week.

History of Assassination Attempts Against Trump

The threat against Donald Trump from Iran has been a persistent concern for U.S. national security officials, dating back several years. The animosity intensified following a U.S. airstrike in January 2020 that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. According to the Washington Post, national security officials warned Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign that Iran had multiple kill teams operating inside the United States, just two months after an alleged assassination attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania, in September 2024.

Furthermore, an Iranian video in 2022 reportedly depicted an assassination attempt on Trump while he was playing golf, signaling the ongoing nature of these threats. The recent U.S. action, therefore, is presented as a direct consequence of these past attempts and a clear message from the Trump administration regarding its response to perceived threats against its leaders.

“Operation Epic Fury” and Broader Conflict

The killing of the Iranian plot leader occurred within the broader context of “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran. Defense Secretary Hegseth, flanked by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine, boasted of the operation’s rapid and devastating impact. Hegseth claimed that the U.S. would soon “have complete control” of Iranian skies, asserting, “America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy. They are toast, and they know it.”

General Caine detailed that U.S. forces have already hit over 2,000 targets and destroyed more than 20 Iranian naval vessels. He also announced that a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo in international waters, marking the first such attack on an enemy since World War II. The operation’s objectives include eliminating Iran’s ballistic missile system, destroying its navy, and preventing the country from rebuilding its combat capability. These strikes followed an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait on Sunday that killed six U.S. service members, including Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Capt. Cody Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, and Sgt. Declan Coady.

The elimination of the alleged mastermind behind the Trump assassination plot represents a targeted response within a wider military campaign, signaling a clear shift in the U.S. approach to perceived threats from Iran and potentially setting a precedent for future retaliatory actions against state-sponsored aggression.