Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US official
tells AP
[June 16, 2025]
By AAMER MADHANI
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump rejected a plan presented by
Israel to the U.S. to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.
The Israelis informed the Trump administration in recent days that they
had developed a credible plan to kill Khamenei.
After being briefed on the plan, the White House made clear to Israeli
officials that Trump was opposed to the Israelis making the move,
according to the official, who was not authorized to comment on the
sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Trump administration is desperate to keep Israel’s military
operation aimed at decapitating Iran’s nuclear program from exploding
into an even more expansive conflict and saw the plan to kill Khamenei
as a move that would enflame the conflict and potentially destabilize
the region.
Asked about the plan during an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Special
Report with Bret Baier," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did
not directly address whether the White House rejected the plan.
“But I can tell you, 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.”
Netanyahu spokesperson Omer Dostri later called reports about the
Israeli plan to kill Khamenei “fake.”
Netanyahu in the Fox interview also said regime change “could certainly
be the result” of the conflict “because the Iranian regime is very
weak.”
Trump's rejection of the proposal was first reported by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to Iran not to
retaliate against U.S. targets in the Middle East.
Trump in an early morning social media posting said the United States
“had nothing to do with the attack on Iran” as Israel and Iran traded
missile attacks for the third straight day. Iran, however, has said it
would hold the U.S. — which has provided Israel with much of its deep
arsenal of weaponry — responsible for its backing of Israel.
“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 said.
Hours later Trump took to social media again to predict “Iran and Israel
should make a deal, and will make a deal" and that it could come “soon.”
But as he departed the White House on Sunday evening for the Group of
Seven leaders summit in the Canadian Rockies, Trump was more tempered in
comments to reporters about when the Israeli strikes and Iranian
retaliation would wind down.
“I hope there is going to be a deal, and we’ll see what happens, but
sometimes they have to fight it out,” Trump said.
The conflict is expected to loom large during his talks with the leaders
of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European
Union.
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President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign a bill
blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars
by 2035, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 12,
2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The U.S. president said he has a track record for de-escalating
conflicts, and that he would get Israel and Iran to cease
hostilities “just like I got India and Pakistan to" after the two
countries' recent cross-border confrontation.
India struck targets inside Pakistan after militants in April
massacred 26 tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan has
denied any links to the attackers. Following India’s strikes in
Pakistan, the two sides exchanged heavy fire along their de facto
borders, followed by missile and drone strikes into each other’s
territories, mainly targeting military installations and airbases.
It was the most serious confrontation in decades between the
countries. Trump on Sunday repeated his claim, disputed by India,
that the two sides agreed to a ceasefire after he had offered to
help both nations with trade if they agreed to de-escalate.
Trump also pointed to efforts by his administration during his first
term to mediate disputes between Serbia and Kosovo and Egypt and
Ethiopia.
“Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!” Trump
posted. “Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and
never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand.
MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
There's a divide in Trump world about how far the president should
go in backing Israel.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Turning Point USA founder
Charlie Kirk and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson are among the
prominent backers of Trump who have argued that voters supported
Trump because he would not involve the nation in foreign conflicts.
GOP Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul praised Trump for having shown restraint
and said he hoped the president's “instincts will prevail.”
“So, I think it’s going to be very hard to come out of this and have
a negotiated settlement,” Paul told NBC's “Meet the Press." ”I see
more war and more carnage. And it’s not the U.S.’s job to be
involved in this war.”
In an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” GOP South Carolina Sen.
Lindsey Graham said he preferred diplomatic efforts, but if
diplomacy doesn’t work Trump should “go all in” on destroying Iran's
nuclear program.
“If that means providing bombs, provide bombs,” he said. “If that
means flying with Israel, fly with Israel.”
—
Associated Press writer Gary Fields contributed reporting.
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