President Trump expressed opposition to an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to three U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News. The plan was discussed following Israel’s recent large-scale military action against Iran. During a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump conveyed his concerns regarding the viability of such an operation.
This rejection of the assassination proposal was first reported by Reuters. Further details revealed that while there has been ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and Israel, there has not been any direct communication between the U.S. and Iran. An Israeli official in Washington confirmed that regarding their collaboration, leaders from both nations have maintained regular discussions.
Netanyahu, during an interview with Fox News, did not confirm or deny the reports about the assassination plan but emphasized that Israel would proceed as necessary, suggesting that he believes both Israel and the U.S. understand what’s best in terms of their national security interests. He also remarked that Israel traditionally focuses on military and nuclear threats rather than targeting political figures.
In a tweet on Truth Social, Trump condemned any potential retaliation from Iran against U.S. targets in the Middle East, warning of a powerful military response. He highlighted that the U.S. had no involvement in the ongoing missile exchanges between Israel and Iran and expressed hope that both nations could negotiate peace, referencing his past efforts in reducing tensions between other countries like India and Pakistan.
Amidst rising tensions, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the escalating conflict and will be attending the G7 leaders’ summit in Canada, where the situation in the Middle East is anticipated to be a major topic of discussion.
This situation underscores the complexity of geopolitical relations in the region, as leaders navigate through the rising tensions and seek pathways to peace. With the involvement of major world powers like the U.S. and Russia, there remains hope that constructive dialogues can emerge to prevent further escalation in conflicts.