Mutual bombardments and ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, and reports reveal an Iranian 'plot' to assassinate Trump

Image caption, Trump survived an assassination attempt during the election campaign for his second term

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The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes that lasted until Thursday, as observers reported a 'significant' decline in the number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States said it targeted 90 military sites, some located near the strait. In response, Iran announced the deaths of 14 people over the past two days.

A US official also stressed that Washington remains committed to finding a solution with Iran and that technical talks are ongoing.

Iranian state media also reported that sites near the Bushehr nuclear plant were struck, citing the deputy governor of the province. The US did not comment on these latest strikes.

9 important facts about the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of the world's oil supply passes

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the latest US strikes, calling them a 'serious war crime' and describing the US administration as 'evil and mentally disturbed'.

Iran's Health Ministry announced the deaths of 14 people and injuries to 78 others in five provinces.

Iran said it targeted US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar in response to American attacks. Later on Thursday, state-affiliated media reported that Tehran launched additional strikes targeting sites in Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq.

In a separate context, large crowds gathered to participate in the funeral ceremonies of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after six days of mourning and funeral rites.

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AFP quoted Iran's official state broadcasting as saying that 'the body of the martyr leader of the Islamic revolution was laid to rest in the Memorial Hall within the shrine of Imam Reza.'

As crowds waited outside the shrine and listened to prayers, the coffin, covered with the Iranian flag, was moved inside the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Khamenei's birthplace in northeastern Iran.

His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since reports that he was seriously injured in the same attack that killed his father.

Alleged assassination attempt

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Israel revealed to the United States new intelligence information showing that Iran was studying a new plan to assassinate President Trump, according to informed sources, which would constitute an escalation in the war between Washington and Tehran, as reported by CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

Iran has publicly threatened for years to take revenge on Trump for the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the prominent commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during the president's first term.

The Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment on what Israel announced. Iran's mission to the UN did not respond to a request for comment. The US president had previously made statements last Wednesday, addressing the existence of a threat to his life.

Trump hinted at threats targeting his life while speaking to journalists in the Turkish capital Ankara.

US intelligence warns Trump of Iranian threats to assassinate him

Trump said: 'They want to get rid of the leader of the United States—me. I am on every list. I saw this morning that I am on every one of their lists. So far, I think I've been a bit lucky, but maybe that won't last long.'

Relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have deteriorated in recent weeks amid diverging interests over continuing the war with Iran.

Netanyahu called for continuing attacks on Iran and achieving more war goals. In contrast, Trump sought a way out of the conflict, citing fears that it would harm the global economy.

Netanyahu expressed deep skepticism about Trump's diplomatic efforts with Iran, and also disagreed with Trump about Israeli military operations in Lebanon, moves that had complicated the path of negotiations.

Image caption, Participants at Khamenei's funeral chanted slogans calling for revenge against Trump

US officials suggested that the Israeli report was an attempt to influence Trump's decisions as he considers whether to intensify US military action against Iran.

This view is reinforced by the fact that details of the alleged plot have not yet been clarified, nor is it clear whether the US independently tracked it apart from the Israeli warning.

The United States had reached a fragile ceasefire with Iran last month.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Thursday, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, which said they agreed to continue 'coordination between the two countries.' Trump also briefed Netanyahu on recent US activities in the Gulf, according to the statement.

Iranian participants at the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei chanted slogans calling for Trump's death, and participants also raised a banner that read: 'We will kill Trump.'

Image caption, Tensions have dominated the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu recently

Trump and Netanyahu spoke frequently at the start of the war with Iran, with Netanyahu briefing the president on various targets and Israeli intelligence information during late-night phone calls, as previously reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The two men continued to communicate, but their relationship showed signs of tension during a series of strained phone calls.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated last Thursday that he agreed with US President Donald Trump in a phone call on Thursday to continue coordination between the two sides on various fronts.

The office added in a statement on this matter that Trump briefed Netanyahu on 'US movements in the Gulf.'

Nevertheless, a US official said last Thursday that Washington remains committed to finding a solution with Iran and that technical talks are ongoing.

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