Trump Blocks Israeli Plan to Assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid escalating tensions between the two nations. His intervention underscores a strategic effort to prevent the conflict from spiraling into open regional war.
Trump steps in to prevent escalation
According to U.S. officials, Israeli forces had identified a possible opportunity to target Khamenei during recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites. Trump opposed the move, prioritizing diplomatic avenues over military escalation, and urged Israeli leadership to stand down.
Rising conflict and missile exchanges
This unfolding drama comes amid repeated exchanges of airstrikes and missile attacks. Israel’s operations against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure prompted Tehran to fire missiles and drones in retaliation—actions that claimed hundreds of lives on both sides and raised global concern.
U.S.–Israel strategic divergence
While Trump publicly backed some Israeli strikes as “excellent,” his refusal to sanction the assassination marked a shift in posture. His administration sought to balance support for Israeli security with responsibility to prevent destabilization. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has neither confirmed nor denied the order but defended the right to act decisively, labeling Khamenei a legitimate military target.
Global diplomacy intensifies
The reported veto has cast a spotlight on strategic divisions within the alliance, as key powers—including Turkey, Russia, and the European Union—pressure all parties to resume dialogue. Amid market volatility and heightened regional anxiety, Trump’s move has been seen as a bid to preserve diplomatic space and avert a broader conflagration.
