Trump Blocked Israeli Plot to Assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Reveals U.S. Officials
A startling revelation has emerged from senior U.S. officials, who disclosed that President Donald Trump blocked a proposed Israeli operation to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during his time in office. The disclosure, confirmed by multiple sources to AFP and Reuters, marks a significant episode in the behind-the-scenes diplomacy and covert operations shaping U.S.–Israel–Iran relations.
The alleged plan, described as “credible,” was reportedly brought to Washington by Israeli intelligence officials amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and regional ambitions.
However, Trump’s administration firmly rejected the proposal, warning Israel against such a dramatic escalation.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” one senior U.S. official was quoted as saying, emphasizing the administration’s red line in terms of direct military provocation.
While Israeli military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were tolerated—even quietly supported—the assassination of a sitting head of state, particularly one as central to Iran’s theocratic system as Khamenei, was viewed as a step too far.
According to reports, the Trump administration believed such a move would likely trigger a regional war with potentially global consequences.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to confirm or deny the reports. In an interview with Fox News, he dismissed the claims as “false,” while reiterating Israel’s commitment to acting independently when it comes to its national security.
“We will do what we need to do to protect our people,” Netanyahu said. “Our friends in Washington understand what is good for the United States. We know what’s good for Israel.”
The prime minister’s comments suggest a delicate balance between coordination and autonomy, as Israel continues to operate militarily in the region, often without direct U.S. approval.
This revelation surfaces amid a fresh wave of hostilities between Israel and Iran. Over recent days, Israel has launched strikes deep into Iranian territory—targeting facilities in Tehran, Natanz, and Isfahan—reportedly killing hundreds, including military scientists and elite officers. Iran has retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli cities, resulting in dozens of casualties.
While the U.S. has condemned Iran’s attacks and expressed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, current and former officials have emphasized that Washington is not involved in directing or planning Israeli military actions.
The decision to veto the alleged assassination plan reflects a moment of restraint from the Trump administration, which, despite its confrontational stance on Iran, sought to avoid actions that could spiral into a direct U.S.–Iran war.
Intelligence experts note that such a targeted killing would have been unprecedented in modern Middle East geopolitics—a decapitation strike against the highest authority in Iran’s political and religious hierarchy.
Diplomatic analysts suggest the revelation may further complicate U.S.–Iran relations, as it confirms that such an operation was seriously considered by a close U.S. ally.
The disclosure also raises questions about what might have happened had the Trump administration approved the plan. With the Middle East currently in turmoil from ongoing Israel–Iran clashes, the news serves as a sobering reminder of how decisions made in secret war rooms can alter the course of history.
As the world watches current developments between Tehran and Tel Aviv unfold, the newly revealed episode adds an explosive layer to an already fragile geopolitical dynamic—one where diplomacy and military action continue to collide at the highest levels.
