President Donald Trump reportedly turned down a proposal from Israel to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as per a U.S. official privy to the situation.
The Israeli authorities had recently informed the Trump administration about their feasible plan to eliminate Khamenei.
Upon receiving the briefing on the plan, the White House communicated to the Israeli officials that Trump was against them executing the plan, stated the official who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
The Trump administration is keen to prevent Israel’s military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear programme from escalating into a broader conflict and viewed the plan to assassinate Khamenei as a move that could exacerbate the conflict and potentially destabilise the region.
When questioned about the plan during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly confirm whether the White House had 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,” said Netanyahu. “And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Netanyahu, later dismissed reports about the Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei as “fake.”
In the same Fox interview, Netanyahu also suggested that regime change “could certainly be the result” of the conflict “because the Iranian regime is very weak.”
Trump’s snub of the proposal first came to light in a Reuters report.
In a more confrontational move, Trump on Sunday delivered a grave warning to Iran against any retaliation towards U.S. interests in the Middle East. Firing off an early morning social media salvo, Trump firmly stated that the US “had nothing to do with the attack on Iran” despite ongoing missile skirmishes between Israel and Iran.
Tehran has pointedly stated it would hold the United States responsible for its support of Israel, given the extensive US-supplied weaponry at Israel’s disposal.
“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 warned Iran.
Within hours, Trump returned to his social media platform forecasting a future agreement between Iran and Israel, suggesting a deal may be imminent, saying, “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal” and hinted it could happen “soon.”
However, as Trump left the White House on Sunday evening bound for the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, he adopted a more cautious tone with journalists regarding the timeline for cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. “I hope there is going to be a deal, and we’ll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out,” commented Trump.
The strife between Israel and Iran is anticipated to be a major point of discussion in Trump’s upcoming dialogue with world leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.
The US President boasted about his proficiency in de-escalating international conflicts, claiming he could defuse the Israel-Iran situation “just like I got India and Pakistan to” following their recent cross-border strife.
After militants slaughtered 26 tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April, India carried out assaults inside Pakistan. Pakistan has repudiated all connections with the assailants.
The Indian strikes led to intense shelling along the borders and subsequent missile and drone attacks into each other’s territories, centring on military sites and airbases.
This marked the gravest clash in years between the two nations. Trump reiterated on Sunday, despite Indian denial, that both parties consented to a ceasefire post his offer to assist them with trade, conditional upon de-escalation.
Trump also proudly reflected on his administration’s mediation initiatives involving Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia during his initial term.
“Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!” Trump vowed on social media. “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!”.
Internal debates persist among Trump’s circle regarding the extent of support the president should extend to Israel.
Prominent supporters of Trump, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. , Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have argued that voters backed Trump because he would keep the nation out of foreign conflicts.
Kentucky’s GOP Senator Rand Paul commended Trump for his restraint and expressed hope that 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 a conversation on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” GOP South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham stated his preference for diplomatic efforts, but suggested that if diplomacy fails, Trump should “go all in” on dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme.
“If that means providing bombs, provide bombs,” he said. “If that means flying with Israel, fly with Israel.”