Israel has shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran recently devised a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to CNN.
The broadcaster reported that the warning, delivered this week, has added to tensions as the fragile 60-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran comes under increasing strain.
One source told CNN the warning was passed to US officials this week. Another said American intelligence agencies had been receiving a steady stream of information in recent weeks about possible threats against Trump, but the Israeli report was new and referred to a specific alleged plot.
CNN said some US officials believe the Israeli intelligence may be part of a broader effort to influence Trump's decision on whether to expand US military action against Iran. The broadcaster added that the details of the alleged plot remain unclear.
According to the report, US intelligence agencies had neither independently verified the Israeli information nor been monitoring the specific threat before it was shared.
US officials have long warned that Iran could seek to assassinate Trump in retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Asked about the reported Israeli warning, the White House referred CNN to Trump's recent public remarks. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said Iran wanted to kill him. He also claimed he had learned of a new ranking that placed him at the top of Tehran's alleged target list. CNN said it was unclear whether he was referring to the Israeli intelligence.
The broadcaster also reported that crowds attending funeral ceremonies for Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend chanted slogans calling for Trump's death.
CNN said US agencies are monitoring several individuals who have discussed possible attacks but have not acted on them. Officials remain concerned that Iran could target current and former senior US officials.
The report said some members of the US intelligence community remain sceptical of Israeli reporting and view the warning as part of a wider Israeli effort to shape Trump's policy towards Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly expressed doubts about Trump's diplomatic approach to Iran and has previously disagreed with him over Israeli military operations in Lebanon, developments that CNN said have complicated diplomatic efforts.
The two leaders spoke by telephone on Thursday, with Netanyahu expected to visit Washington soon for talks with Trump.
CNN also reported that US military preparations continued despite diplomatic efforts. Multiple officials said plans for possible strikes on Thursday night were prepared but later postponed to allow negotiations to continue.
Earlier on Thursday, crews aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln loaded fighter aircraft with weapons while pilots conducted training exercises in preparation for any potential military action.
The carrier's commanding officer, Dan Keeler, told thousands of crew members that tensions were rising, CNN reported. Despite the heightened alert, fighter aircraft continued routine defensive missions throughout the day and night.
