Israeli Plan to Assassinate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “Not a Good Idea,” a “Grave Stupidity” – President Donald Trump
Washington, June 16, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Multiple reports from Reuters and CBS News confirmed that the plan was discussed secretly during Israel’s recent military operations against Iran, where Trump himself intervened.
Following a major Israeli strike on Iran on Friday, President Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a critical conversation that the idea of targeting Khamenei was “not a good idea” and would be “a grave act of political stupidity.”
In an interview with Reuters, President Trump said:
“Have the Iranians killed any Americans so far? No. So as long as they haven’t, we’re not even thinking about targeting political leadership.”
Israeli Plan and U.S. Intervention
According to intelligence and military sources from both the U.S. and Israel, Tel Aviv believed it had an “opportunity window” to eliminate Khamenei. However, Trump opposed the plan and directed Israel to hold off. Whether Trump gave a direct order is yet to be officially confirmed.
Sources suggest that Trump and Netanyahu remain in close communication, and this controversial plan was also discussed between them as part of their ongoing consultations.
Netanyahu’s Response
When asked about the matter on Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier on Sunday, Netanyahu responded:
“There are many false reports that have no basis in reality. I don't want to comment on these.”
However, he added:
“We’ll do what we need to do. And I believe the U.S. knows what’s in its own best interest.”
Deadlock in Nuclear Negotiations
Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States that were scheduled to take place in Oman have been postponed due to the ongoing Israeli attacks. Despite the current tensions, Trump remains hopeful that a diplomatic window may reopen in the future.
Analysts believe Trump’s intervention not only curbed Israel’s aggressive military approach but also preserved the possibility of future U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Executing a plan to assassinate Khamenei could have triggered a regional explosion of violence across the Middle East.
