In a recent development, it was reported from Washington that President Donald Trump has turned down an Israeli proposal aimed at assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This revelation comes from a U.S. official who has insight into the situation but has chosen to speak anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
According to the source, Israel presented a plan considered credible for taking out Khamenei, but the Trump administration made it clear to Israeli officials that such a move was unacceptable to the President. The Trump administration is intent on preventing Israel’s military actions against Iran’s nuclear program from ballooning into a broader conflict, as it could potentially ignite further tensions and destabilize the already volatile region.
When questioned about the plan during a segment on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was evasive about whether the White House had indeed rejected the proposal. Instead, Netanyahu remarked that Israel would take necessary actions it deemed appropriate, implying confidence in the U.S. understanding of its own interests.
Spokesman Omer Dostri later dismissed reports about the assassination plan as “fake.” In the same interview, Netanyahu speculated that regime change could eventually stem from the conflict, describing Iran’s ruling body as weakened.
This report was initially brought to light by a different media outlet. Amid these developments, Trump issued a stern warning to Iran to avoid retaliating against American interests in the Middle East. He took to social media early one morning to clarify that the United States had no involvement in recent attacks on Iran, despite escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, which have seen repeated missile exchanges.
In a strong statement, Trump declared that if Iran were to initiate an attack in any manner against the United States, the response from U.S. Armed Forces would be unprecedented. Later, Trump expressed optimism on social media, predicting that a peace deal between Iran and Israel could happen soon, although he acknowledged that conflicts perhaps needed their course.
As Trump left Washington for the Group of Seven leaders summit in the Canadian Rockies, he appeared more reserved about the likelihood of the Israeli strikes and Iranian responses coming to a halt soon, hinting that the resolution process might not be straightforward. During this summit, the ongoing conflict is expected to feature prominently in discussions with leaders from countries including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the EU.
The president highlighted his success in de-escalating past conflicts, referencing efforts between Serbia and Kosovo and between Egypt and Ethiopia during his term. He expressed confidence in achieving peace between Israel and Iran similarly.
Within Trump’s circle, there is debate over the extent of support the President should lend to Israel in this context. Significant figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson have voiced that Trump’s voter base appreciates his reluctance to embroil the nation in overseas wars. Meanwhile, GOP Senator Rand Paul commended Trump’s restraint and expressed hope that Trump’s instincts would continue to lean towards non-intervention.
In contrast, GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, during an interview on CBS, suggested that if diplomatic efforts fail, Trump should decisively act against Iran’s nuclear capabilities, even if it necessitates direct support to Israel in military terms.
This complex scenario marks a critical point in Middle East policy, with various influences tugging tensions in multiple directions.