In a significant development amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, two senior U.S. officials revealed that President Donald Trump recently vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to a report published on Sunday, the officials—speaking on condition of anonymity—stated that Israel had identified an opportunity to eliminate the top Iranian leader. However, the plan was ultimately rejected by Trump.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” said one of the officials, a high-ranking member of the U.S. administration.
U.S.-Israel Communications Ongoing Amid Military Escalation
The revelation comes as high-level communications continue between U.S. and Israeli officials following Israel’s recent major strike on Iranian facilities, which it claims was aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While the officials didn’t confirm whether Trump personally conveyed the message to halt the assassination plan, it is known that he has maintained regular contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to the news, Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the report during a Fox News interview. “There are so many false reports of conversations that never happened,” he said. “We’ll do what we need to do, and the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
Tensions High as Peace Efforts Continue
Despite mounting fears of an all-out regional conflict, Trump has voiced optimism about a potential peace agreement between Israel and Iran. He confirmed on Friday that “we knew everything” about Israel’s recent military action.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal. We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.”
However, he did not provide concrete details about these diplomatic efforts.
Potential Role of Russia and Cancelled Talks
Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin could serve as a mediator between Israel and Iran, despite ongoing global tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, peace talks initially planned for Oman between U.S. and Iranian officials were cancelled following the airstrikes, further complicating de-escalation efforts.
Netanyahu Doubles Down
Contrary to Trump’s peace predictions, Netanyahu has insisted that Israel’s campaign against Iran will only intensify. The Israeli leader reiterated his country’s stance that it will continue taking necessary actions to defend its national security.
Conclusion
As the world watches closely, the latest report about Trump’s decision to block the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei underscores the precarious nature of Middle East geopolitics. With rising military confrontations and conflicting narratives on the path forward, it remains unclear whether peace is truly on the horizon or if the region is heading toward deeper conflict.
