By Michael Vadon-Wikipedia
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly opposed a proposal by Israel to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to three American officials who spoke to CBS News, a U.S. partner of the BBC.
Trump is said to have expressed his disapproval directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the assassination of Khamenei as “not a good idea.” While Trump has yet to publicly address the claim, the conversation is believed to have taken place after Israel launched its military offensive against Iran on Friday.
During a recent interview with Fox News, Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny a Reuters report alleging that Trump had blocked the assassination plan.
“There are so many false reports of conversations that never occurred, and I’m not going to get into that,” Netanyahu stated. “But I can tell you this: we do what we need to do. We will do what we must, and I believe the United States knows what is in its own interest. I’m just not going to delve into it further.”
A senior Israeli official told CBS News that Israel generally avoids targeting political leaders. “In principle, we do not assassinate political figures; our focus is on nuclear and military targets. Anyone making decisions about those programs should not feel safe or at ease,” the official said.
Israel initiated strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and other strategic locations on Friday. The hostilities between the two nations have escalated into a third consecutive day of exchanges, with both sides continuing to carry out large-scale attacks.
Amid the intensifying conflict, Trump took to Truth Social to weigh in, urging Iran and Israel to negotiate a settlement. “Iran and Israel should make a deal,” Trump wrote, adding that he could secure a truce between the two nations “just like I got India and Pakistan” to step back from their recent standoff.
When questioned by reporters ahead of his departure for the G7 summit in Canada, Trump reiterated U.S. support for Israel but did not confirm whether he had requested that Israel halt its strikes against Iran.
The next round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, originally scheduled for Sunday, has been cancelled. Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi—who was set to mediate—announced the decision a day in advance.
According to an official familiar with the developments, Iran informed Qatari and Omani officials that it would not engage in ceasefire talks while Israeli air raids continued.
On Saturday, Trump emphasized that the U.S. played no part in Israel’s recent offensive on Iran. However, he issued a stern warning: “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.”
