Two U.S. officials report that President Trump vetoed an Israeli operation aimed at assassinating Ayatollah Khamenei amidst escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear activities.
In a significant development concerning U.S.-Israeli relations and Middle Eastern geopolitics, President
Donald Trump has vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two U.S. officials.
The discussion, which took place in the days following Israel's intensified military operations against Iran, was characterized by ongoing communication between high-ranking officials in both nations.
One senior U.S. administration official stated the rationale behind the veto, highlighting that Iran had not yet killed an American, indicating a cautious approach from the Trump administration regarding military action against Iran's political leadership.
The communication between U.S. and Israeli officials has been constant since Israel's recent large-scale attacks aimed at disrupting Iran's nuclear program.
Sources revealed that Israeli officials had identified an opportunity to neutralize Khamenei but were instructed by Trump to refrain from pursuing this course of action.
Official details surrounding the direct communications between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain unclear, though Trump has been reportedly engaged frequently with Netanyahu during this period.
In a recent interview, Netanyahu addressed queries regarding the reports of the assassination plot, asserting that there are many inaccuracies concerning purported conversations, but emphasized Israel's commitment to act decisively in its national interest.
Adding further complexity to the situation, Trump has displayed an interest in reopening diplomatic negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions.
Scheduled talks in Oman were canceled due to the escalated hostilities following the Israeli strikes.
The U.S. president remarked that the administration had extensive knowledge of the Israeli operations against Iran, reflecting a high level of awareness regarding the ongoing developments in the region.