WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald Trump stopped Israel from going ahead with a plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two senior U.S. officials. The officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Israel informed the U.S. about the opportunity, but Trump refused to approve the strike.
The officials explained that the U.S. administration didn’t want to escalate the conflict unless Americans were directly harmed. “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” one source said. The statement reflected a cautious approach to rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
Tensions between the two countries have increased following Israel’s recent attacks aimed at stopping Iran’s nuclear program. Though U.S. officials have remained in close contact with Israeli leaders, Trump is reportedly focused on preventing further violence. Talks scheduled between the U.S. and Iran in Oman were canceled due to the attacks.
When asked about the report during a Fox News interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed it, saying many reports about such conversations are false. However, he added, “We’ll do what we need to do,” implying Israel is ready to act if necessary. He also stated that the U.S. understands what is best for its interests.
Meanwhile, Trump expressed hope for peace between Iran and Israel. In a post on his platform, Truth Social, he mentioned ongoing meetings and phone calls. He compared the situation to an agreement he claimed to broker between India and Pakistan, saying he used U.S. trade as a tool to stop tensions quickly.
Highlighting his past diplomatic efforts, Trump mentioned deals between Serbia and Kosovo, and between Egypt and Ethiopia. He ended his post with a bold statement: “Make the Middle East Great Again,” signaling his continued interest in resolving major global conflicts through negotiation.