Israel's Mossad has warned the CIA that Iran is plotting to kill President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration with explosive-laden drones in the coming weeks, according to a report published on Saturday, forcing top officials into military housing and sharply reducing the chances of even a preliminary deal with Tehran.

Key Points

• Israel Hayom reported on Saturday, November 14, that Mossad told the CIA Iran is planning drone attacks targeting President Trump and senior administration officials, possibly with explosive-laden drones in the coming weeks.
• Mossad Director Roman Gofman personally conveyed the intelligence to CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington, where Gofman arrived on Friday; another Western intelligence agency corroborated the material.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his Georgetown home to a military base, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to secure housing on a military base, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is staying at a guarded military facility.
• Trump has stayed out of public view since Wednesday, and his remaining appearances carry extra precautions, including specialised anti-drone systems.
• Senior officials said the warning is among the main reasons Trump recently changed his approach to negotiations with Tehran, sharply reducing the prospects of even a preliminary US-Iran deal.

What Happened

Israel Hayom reported the warning on Saturday, citing senior Israeli and US officials. Mossad Director Roman Gofman arrived in Washington on Friday and personally delivered the intelligence to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. US agencies had asked Mossad to check the material, and the Israeli service verified it at Washington's request. A second Western intelligence agency also corroborated the warning.

The officials considered at risk have sharply curtailed outdoor public appearances, and some have been temporarily relocated. The Treasury confirmed on November 10 that Bessent had moved from his Georgetown home to a military base. Rubio has moved to secure housing on a military base, and Hegseth is staying at a guarded military facility. Trump himself has stayed out of public view since Wednesday, and his remaining appearances carry extra precautions, including specialised anti-drone systems.

Background and Context

The warning lands in the ninth month of the US-Iran war, which began on February 28, 2026. Washington has spent recent weeks pressing Tehran for a deal while also striking Iranian targets, including defensive strikes on Qeshm Island. Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Washington had made "progress" in talks with Iran and that the US had set "no strict deadline" before strikes resume.

Iran has threatened Trump before. In September 2024, US intelligence officials warned Trump, then a presidential candidate, of an Iranian threat to assassinate him. Iran denied the latest accusations, and neither the White House nor the CIA has publicly confirmed the plot. Related coverage: Mossad Chief Gofman in Washington for Iran Talks With CIA's Ratcliffe.

The Iran Drone Plot Targeting Trump and His Top Officials

The reported plot fits a pattern of Iranian drone operations against US interests. On Friday, US Central Command said American forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward Bahrain, with no injuries or damage, and rejected Iran's claim that its drones had hit a US radar base there. Explosive-laden drones are cheap, hard to detect and difficult to stop, which is why the warning has forced such visible changes in how senior officials move.

The warning also explains the sudden caution around the president's schedule. A plot aimed at the president and his top national security officials would be treated as a direct threat to the continuity of government, not as an ordinary intelligence report. That is why officials have been moved to guarded facilities rather than simply given extra protection at home.

Reactions

Vance struck an upbeat note about the talks on Monday, saying he and Trump "both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement" and that "we've had a number of good conversations with the Iranians." Trump said the same day that a deal was "coming together very nicely" and that Iran wants a deal. The Mossad warning, reported days later, points to a much darker reason for the change in tone from the White House.

Iran denied the accusations. Attorney General Todd Blanche has also been living on a US military base since early 2026, NewsNation reported, the latest senior Trump official moved into military housing amid Iran-linked security concerns. Also read: Attorney General Todd Blanche Has Been Living on a US Military Base Since Early 2026.

Why It Matters

An assassination plot against a sitting president would be an act of war, and the warning is already reshaping American policy. Senior officials said it is among the main reasons Trump recently changed his approach to negotiations with Tehran, sharply reducing the prospects of even a preliminary deal. The relocation of cabinet secretaries to military bases shows the threat is being treated as credible at the highest level.

It also matters because the warning comes as the administration weighs whether to resume strikes. Vance said Washington retains both military and non-military options, and that the top US priority is a firm, verifiable commitment that Iran will not rebuild its nuclear programme. A credible threat to the president's life makes restraint harder to sustain. Also read: Vance Says US Has Made Progress in Iran Talks.

What Happens Next

Talks with Iran are expected to continue, but the prospects of a deal now look far weaker than they did a week ago. Qatari mediators have been shuttling between the sides, and both Washington and Tehran have been reviewing mediator suggestions. No deadline has been set for a deal, and Vance said the US has imposed no strict timetable before strikes resume.

Watch for whether the White House or the CIA publicly confirms the warning, whether more officials are moved to secure housing, and whether Trump resumes a normal public schedule. Any public confirmation would mark a sharp escalation in the confrontation with Tehran, and a return to strikes would follow quickly if the talks collapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Mossad warn the CIA about?
Israel Hayom reported that Mossad told the CIA Iran is planning drone attacks targeting President Trump and senior administration officials, possibly with explosive-laden drones in the coming weeks.

Which officials have moved to military housing?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moved from his Georgetown home to a military base, Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to secure housing on a military base, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is staying at a guarded military facility.

Has the White House confirmed the plot?
No. Iran denied the accusations, and neither the White House nor the CIA has publicly confirmed the plot.

Has Iran threatened Trump before?
Yes. In September 2024, US intelligence officials warned Trump, then a presidential candidate, of an Iranian threat to assassinate him.

What does this mean for US-Iran talks?
Senior officials said the warning is among the main reasons Trump changed his approach to negotiations, sharply reducing the prospects of even a preliminary deal.