Trump Reportedly Blocked Israeli Assassination Plot Against Iran’s Supreme Leader
GG News Bureau
Washington/Jerusalem, 16th June: U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the wake of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to a Reuters report citing two senior U.S. officials.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Israeli intelligence had identified an opportunity to eliminate Iran’s top political figure amid heightened military operations aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. However, they claim Trump intervened, instructing Israeli officials to abandon the plan.
“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 sources, described as a senior figure in the U.S. administration.
The report underscores the intensity of behind-the-scenes diplomacy as the Middle East teeters on the edge of further escalation. U.S. and Israeli officials have reportedly remained in near-constant contact since Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iranian targets, aimed at halting suspected nuclear weapon development.
Netanyahu Responds to Report with Ambiguity
When asked about the Reuters story during an interview with Fox News Channel’s Special Report With Bret Baier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
“There are so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that,” Netanyahu said. However, he added, “I think that we do what we need to do, and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
His comments left room for interpretation but emphasized Israel’s determination to continue acting in its national interest, regardless of external pressure.
Strained Diplomacy and Canceled Talks
The alleged veto comes at a time when hopes for renewed U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear dim. Talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman to revive negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program were abruptly canceled following Israel’s latest round of airstrikes.
President Trump, who returned to office in January, had previously indicated willingness to re-engage Iran in talks aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions through diplomatic means. The latest developments cast further doubt on whether dialogue can resume in the near term.
The Reuters report adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile geopolitical situation. Assassinating a sitting head of state or religious leader could have triggered a global crisis, prompting widespread condemnation and possibly plunging the region into deeper chaos.
Background: Escalation Amid Nuclear Tensions
Tensions between Israel and Iran have surged in recent weeks, with Iran allegedly accelerating its nuclear program and Israel responding with military force. The conflict has drawn international concern, particularly due to the involvement of nuclear-capable states and growing threats of retaliatory strikes.
Iran has accused Israel of targeting key nuclear infrastructure and military leadership, while Israel has accused Tehran of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the region.
The alleged plan to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei, if true, would mark one of the most direct threats to Iran’s leadership in decades and a major escalation in the covert and overt confrontations between the two nations.
As both countries remain on high alert, global powers continue to urge restraint, fearing a broader conflict that could engulf the Middle East.
