CIA doubted Israeli intel on Iran threat before Trump's plane switch

In mid-August 2026, reports emerged that the CIA had 'low confidence' in Israeli intelligence suggesting Iran was plotting to assassinate Donald Trump. According to the Washington Post, the CIA's skepticism preceded Trump's decision to switch planes during a stop in Türkiye after a NATO summit. The reports indicate that U.S. intelligence officials were not convinced by the Israeli claims, which had influenced the former president's travel arrangements.

Separately, an Iranian lawmaker claimed that a planned ground offensive against Iran was 'nipped in the bud,' and a senior IRGC general said Iran could fight the U.S. until Trump is gone. These statements reflect heightened tensions, but the main story focuses on the intelligence dispute and its impact on Trump's security protocols.