U.S. should empower the Iranian people, denying the regime regrouping time By Carla Sands – Wednesday, August 26, 2026 OPINION: For more than four decades, the regime in Tehran has fueled terrorism, destabilized the Middle East through proxy militias, pursued nuclear weapons capability and brutally oppressed its own people. Successive American administrations tried diplomacy, sanctions and accommodation. None has fundamentally altered Tehran’s behavior. By confronting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and refusing to accept the regime’s long-held assumption that it can threaten American interests without consequence, President Trump has changed the strategic landscape. Still, military action alone does not guarantee lasting political victory. The recent weakening of the regime has created a historic strategic opportunity. Continuing the maximum pressure campaign, the United States should embrace a political strategy that empowers the Iranian people, denying the regime tim...
Trump Faces Heightened Security Over Iranian Threats
Recent intelligence reports and a separate assassination attempt have prompted heightened security measures for former President Donald Trump. U.S. authorities have been tracking threats from Iran. The latest developments underscore ongoing security challenges and the complexities of protecting high-profile figures.
According to reports from multiple sources, including the Associated Press (AP), USA Today, and CNN, U.S. authorities received intelligence indicating a credible Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. This prompted the U.S. Secret Service to significantly increase security around the former president. The National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed that threats against Trump and former administration officials have been tracked for years, highlighting Iran’s ongoing desire for revenge for Soleimani’s killing.
The AP reported that the latest threat, separate from the recent assassination attempt, led to a surge in resources and assets for Trump’s protection. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson noted that these threats are considered matters of the highest national and homeland security priority. Watson stated, “These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.”
Following the assassination of Soleimani, the Biden administration has continued to provide 24/7 protection to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his top Iran aide, Brian Hook, due to credible threats on their lives from Iran. Other high-level officials, including former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and retired military generals, remain under protection.
Iranian Plot and Security Measures
USA Today reported that the White House continues to monitor Iranian threats against former Trump officials. However, law enforcement has not linked these threats to the recent attempted assassination of Trump. The NSC confirmed that while threats from Iran persist, there is no known connection between the attempt on Trump’s life and foreign officials. The Secret Service had increased security for Trump following intelligence about an Iranian plot. Agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated, “The Secret Service and other agencies are constantly receiving new potential threat information and taking action to adjust resources as needed.”
Former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally.CREDIT:AP
Detailed Threat and Recent Assassination Attempt
CNN provided an exclusive look at the intelligence and security responses. Authorities received information about an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, leading to enhanced security. Sources told CNN, “Secret Service learned of the increased threat from this threat stream.” Despite these measures, the assassination attempt by Thomas Matthew Crooks at a Pennsylvania rally is not connected to the Iranian plot. The FBI, investigating the shooting, has found no links between Crooks and any foreign or domestic accomplices. The Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nations denied involvement, stating, “These accusations are unsubstantiated and malicious.”
Intelligence on Iranian Plot Elevates Security Measures for Trump
The threats from Iran are part of a broader pattern of hostility following the killing of Soleimani. Former officials like John Bolton and Robert O’Brien continue to face significant risks. In August 2022, the Justice Department charged a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps for plotting to kill Bolton. The recent surge in threats coincides with increased online messaging from Iranian state-backed media, raising security concerns among U.S. officials.
Conclusion
The series of threats from Iran and the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump have highlighted the persistent security challenges faced by former Trump administration officials. While the attempted assassination and the Iranian plot are separate incidents, the ongoing threats underscore the complex security landscape. U.S. authorities remain vigilant, continuously adapting their strategies to protect current and former officials from potential retaliation. The situation remains dynamic, with law enforcement and intelligence agencies working tirelessly to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of those targeted by these threats.
Written by Shamsi Saadati Paris, France – On Saturday, May 17, 2025, an influential international conference convened in Paris, uniting parliamentarians and prominent political figures from a wide array of countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, Romania, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The central theme of the gathering was the urgent need for a new, decisive international policy towards Iran, with a strong emphasis on supporting democratic change and recognizing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as a viable alternative to the current regime. The event served as a significant platform for global lawmakers to voice their concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, the regime’s escalating domestic repression, its destabilizing regional activities, and its persistent pursuit of a nuclear program. A recurring call throughout the conference was for Western governments to adopt a firmer stance, including the ...
By Reza Hoseani Iran’s economic crisis is no longer just a headline — it has become part of everyday life. Skyrocketing prices, the continuous collapse of the national currency, and shrinking household purchasing power are now affecting nearly every segment of society. But an important question remains: Are these hardships truly the direct result of war and external pressure, or are they rooted in domestic economic policies and political decisions? While state media repeatedly blame regional tensions and foreign conflicts for inflation and market instability, many economists argue that the current crisis is driven far more by internal policymaking than by war itself. War as a Cover for Internal Economic Failure For years, whenever Iran’s economy entered a deeper phase of crisis, official narratives pointed to external enemies and international tensions. However, economic experts say the immediate impact of war rarely causes inflation on this scale in such a sho...
By Reza Hoseani Is Washington’s economic fury more effective than military warfare? An examination of the United States’ new sanctions targeting the IRGC’s financial lifelines and their impact on Iran’s explosive social environment. Amid the regime’s paralyzing deadlock between war and restraint, Washington has made its choice unmistakably clear: an all-out economic war instead of a large-scale military war. This choice is not the product of moderation. Rather, it reflects an understanding that economic pressure may be more lethal to the regime, less costly for the West, and more socially acceptable to the Iranian people than military intervention. 1. From “Maximum Pressure” to “Economic Fury”: The IRGC’s Lifelines in the Crosshairs In recent months, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has escalated economic pressure through two new initiatives. First came what has been described as Operation Economic Fury, announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He stated explicitly ...
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