Trump Blocks Israeli Plot to Assassinate Iran Supreme Leader/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump rejected an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, fearing wider conflict. Trump warned Iran against retaliation and expressed optimism about potential peace. The decision reveals tension within Trump’s circle on U.S. involvement in Middle East wars.
Trump Blocks Israeli Plot to Assassinate Iran Leader: Quick Looks
- Trump rejected Israel’s plan to kill Ayatollah Khamenei.
- U.S. feared assassination would escalate regional war with Iran.
- Netanyahu didn’t confirm rejection, but dismissed reports as “fake.”
- Trump warned Iran not to attack U.S. assets in region.
- Trump said a peace deal between Israel and Iran is possible.
- Internal GOP split on backing Israel’s military offensive.
- Trump cited his history of de-escalating international conflicts.
- G7 summit expected to focus on Middle East tensions.
- Critics and allies in GOP praise Trump’s restraint.
- Sen. Graham supports going “all in” if diplomacy fails.
Trump Blocks Israeli Plot to Assassinate Iran Supreme Leader
Deep Look
As Israel intensifies its military campaign against Iran, a major decision from Washington may have averted a catastrophic escalation. President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal presented by Israel to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a senior U.S. official. The decision, confirmed under condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence, highlights Trump’s aim to prevent the conflict from expanding into an uncontrollable regional war.
The plan, deemed credible by Israeli intelligence, was recently disclosed to the Trump administration. After internal discussions, the White House firmly communicated its disapproval to Israeli officials. The rationale, sources say, was rooted in concerns that targeting Khamenei could set off a chain reaction, potentially drawing the U.S. directly into a full-scale war in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asked about the rejection during a Fox News interview, sidestepped the specific question. “We’ll do what we need to do,” he remarked, suggesting Israel would act according to its own interests. Netanyahu’s spokesperson later dismissed the report as “fake,” adding to the ambiguity.
Despite this, Netanyahu did suggest that regime change in Iran could be an outcome of the conflict. “The Iranian regime is very weak,” he said, implying that continued pressure might collapse its leadership structure.
Trump’s decision comes amid rising missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, now entering their third consecutive day. While distancing the U.S. from direct involvement, Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran: any attack on American personnel or assets would provoke a massive military response.
“The full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” Trump said in a fiery social media post.
Later in the day, Trump struck a more optimistic tone, saying he believed a deal between Israel and Iran could be imminent. As he departed for the G7 summit in Canada, he told reporters,
“Sometimes they have to fight it out, but I hope there is going to be a deal.”
The conflict is expected to dominate discussions at the summit, which gathers leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.
Trump also touted his history of mediating international conflicts. Referencing his role in the India-Pakistan standoff earlier in the year, he claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire after a deadly attack in Kashmir. Trump emphasized that he had helped reduce tensions in other volatile regions as well, including Serbia-Kosovo and Egypt-Ethiopia.
On social media, Trump reaffirmed his belief in diplomacy: “We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!”
However, not everyone in Trump’s orbit agrees with his cautious approach. A faction of his conservative base—including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson—has warned against deeper U.S. involvement in foreign wars, echoing Trump’s original “America First” platform.
Sen. Rand Paul praised Trump’s decision to veto the assassination, stating, “I hope the president’s instincts will prevail.” Paul, a longtime critic of military interventions, warned that a diplomatic resolution is growing less likely as violence escalates.
In contrast, Sen. Lindsey Graham took a more hawkish stance. Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Graham said if diplomacy fails, the U.S. should fully support Israel’s mission to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “If that means providing bombs, provide bombs. If that means flying with Israel, fly with Israel,” he said.
The divide within Trump’s camp reflects broader questions about the U.S. role in Middle East conflicts. While Trump is positioning himself as a peacemaker ahead of the upcoming elections, his decision also underscores the high stakes of any further escalation between two of the region’s most powerful adversaries.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the world watches closely to see whether Trump’s gamble on restraint can indeed bring the region back from the brink.
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