Iran's Growing Assassination List Against Former Trump Aides

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The U.S. government is grappling with a concerning and escalating threat: approximately a dozen former national security aides from the Trump administration are believed to be on an Iranian hit list. This realization has spurred U.S. officials to rethink the seriousness of Iran's threats against former President Donald Trump and some of his top military and national security advisors. Tehran's threats are not just rhetoric; they are part of a broader, calculated effort that shows no signs of fading.

 

The roots of this intense animosity stretch back to January 2020, when President Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, one of Iran’s most influential military leaders. This event has become a significant point of contention for Tehran, which has since vowed revenge. Iran has not only issued arrest warrants and extradition requests for those involved in the decision but has also produced ominous videos portraying the future deaths of Trump and his former officials. The threats are not merely for show; according to a dozen officials knowledgeable about Iran’s assassination attempts, Tehran's efforts to exact revenge are far more serious and far-reaching than many had previously realized.

 

“This is extraordinarily serious,” said Matt Olsen, the assistant attorney general for national security at the Department of Justice. “Iran has made it very clear that they are determined to seek retaliation against former officials in connection with the Soleimani strike.” Olsen's statement highlights just how persistent and focused Tehran is in its quest for revenge, a troubling reality that U.S. officials must navigate.

 

Despite unprecedented efforts to protect many of these individuals, the scale of the threat has proven difficult to manage. According to POLITICO, which interviewed 24 people with direct knowledge of the Soleimani strike or its aftermath, the U.S. has struggled to safeguard every person at risk. The group of sources—comprising U.S. lawmakers, Secret Service agents, congressional aides, and senior government officials—painted a chilling picture of a far-reaching assassination threat. Their accounts go beyond the public threats and propaganda that Tehran has disseminated through videos and social media.

 

The sources described digital surveillance campaigns targeting former officials and their families, relentless FBI warnings about new threats, and even an incident involving Iranian operatives tracking a U.S. official during an overseas trip.

 

Many of those interviewed expressed concern that the U.S. government has yet to fully comprehend the scope of the Iranian threat or develop a sustainable solution to protect those at risk. As a result, there are growing fears that Iran could eventually succeed in making good on its threats. Several officials noted that, prior to the Soleimani strike, U.S. intelligence agencies had not anticipated that Iran would consider assassinating an American official in retaliation.

 

However, in the aftermath of Soleimani's death, U.S. intelligence swiftly assessed that Tehran was serious about such a move. A former senior national security official with direct knowledge of the strike confirmed how quickly this realization took hold: “It was pretty fast.” The Iranian threats have only grown more explicit over time, moving from veiled rhetoric to increasingly direct warnings.

 

The situation underscores a larger issue for the U.S. government: while high-profile figures receive significant protection, others facing similar threats may not have access to the same level of security. As the Iranian threat continues to loom, it remains unclear how the U.S. will navigate this ongoing challenge and ensure the safety of all those targeted. Tehran's resolve appears unwavering, and the U.S. must find a way to adapt to this growing security challenge.

 

Based on a report from Politico 2024-10-14