President Donald Trump rejected a proposal by Israeli officials to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move U.S. officials said was aimed at preventing the Israel-Iran conflict from spiraling further out of control. The decision, confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the matter, was made during a weekend of heightened regional hostilities.
"We communicated to the Israelis that President Trump is opposed to that. The Iranians haven't killed an American and discussion of killing political leaders should not be on the table," a U.S. official told Axios. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Israeli media and Saudi outlet Al-Hadath previously reported that Israel had developed a credible plan to target Khamenei as part of its ongoing military campaign against Iran's nuclear infrastructure and senior leadership. Trump's decision to oppose the assassination was first reported by Reuters.
The Trump administration has attempted to distance itself from Israel's recent military operations, which have included strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the killing of senior commanders. On Sunday, Israeli aircraft attacked an air base in Mashhad, located more than 1,400 miles from Israeli territory.
Trump reiterated on social media that the United States "had nothing to do with the attack on Iran" but warned Tehran against retaliating. "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," Trump wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to confirm the existence of the assassination proposal during an interview on Fox News. "I think that we do what we need to do, we'll do what we need to do," Netanyahu said. "And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States."
Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi dismissed reports of the proposed assassination as "fake news," and Netanyahu's spokesperson Omer Dostri echoed that characterization. However, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter did not rule out such a strike, telling ABC News: "I think it's fair to say that nobody who's threatening the destruction of Israel should be off the target list."
As Israel and Iran continue exchanging missiles for a third consecutive day, the conflict remains a central issue ahead of this week's G7 summit, where Trump is scheduled to meet with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.
"I hope there is going to be a deal, and we'll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out," Trump told reporters Sunday evening before departing for the summit in the Canadian Rockies.
Trump later predicted on social media that "Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal," adding, "Many calls and meetings now taking place."
The president's stance has divided conservative circles. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson have urged Trump to avoid foreign entanglements. "It's not the U.S.'s job to be involved in this war," Sen. Rand Paul said on NBC's Meet the Press, praising Trump's restraint.
Others in the GOP advocated for more aggressive support. "If that means providing bombs, provide bombs. If that means flying with Israel, fly with Israel," said Sen. Lindsey Graham on CBS' Face the Nation.
Trump, defending his record as a mediator, pointed to previous international interventions including those involving Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia. "Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!" he posted. "MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!"
