The United States military said it killed an Iranian official who led a unit behind an alleged assassination plot against President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation took place on Tuesday but was not the main focus of the ongoing war. The strike marks a high-profile counterterrorism action amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions.
Hegseth said, “The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.” He emphasized that the target was added to broader military objectives and not the central focus of U.S. operations.
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The official did not disclose the individual’s name but confirmed the operation successfully neutralized the threat. Hegseth added that while the assassination plot was serious, it was secondary to U.S. efforts in the wider conflict with Iran. U.S. forces continue to strike key military infrastructure inside Iranian territory.
In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department charged an Iranian man linked to the alleged plot, reportedly ordered by the IRGC to target Trump, then president-elect. Tehran has consistently denied any involvement in planning attacks on Trump or other U.S. officials. The incident underscores ongoing mistrust and hostilities between the two nations.
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Analysts say the killing could further escalate tensions and complicate potential diplomatic solutions. U.S. officials assert the operation was part of ongoing strategic measures against Iranian threats. The Pentagon continues to maintain that broader military objectives, not targeted assassinations, remain the focus of operations.