U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two U.S. officials quoted by Reuters.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. They revealed that Israel recently informed the U.S. of an opportunity to target Khamenei but was dissuaded by Trump, who opposed the operation.
One senior U.S. official reportedly said, “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.”
The Trump administration, keen to prevent Israel’s military actions against Iran’s nuclear program from escalating into a broader conflict, saw the assassination plan as a move that could destabilize the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when asked about the report, declined to confirm specifics and played it down.
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“There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that.” He added that Israel would act as needed, while emphasizing U.S.-Israel coordination.
Trump has publicly urged both nations to pursue diplomacy, citing his past mediation efforts in conflicts like those between Serbia and Kosovo. “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” Trump posted on social media, expressing hope for de-escalation.