President Donald Trump has reportedly blocked an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid intensifying military exchanges between Israel and Iran.
The move, according to senior U.S. officials, was a calculated decision aimed at preventing a wider Middle Eastern war and preserving the administration’s diplomatic leverage.
The revelation comes at a time when the conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated into open missile strikes, raising fears of regional destabilization. While Israel reportedly saw a rare opportunity to strike at the heart of Iran’s leadership, the Trump administration communicated its firm opposition to the plan over the weekend, effectively halting the operation.
A senior U.S. official told CNN that although the Israelis had a “window” to eliminate Khamenei, the United States advised against it, and the plan was ultimately shelved. President Trump, who is seeking to maintain a delicate balance in foreign policy, has made it clear that he does not wish to embroil the U.S. in another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.
Pressed on the issue during a television interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the reports as baseless. “There are so many false reports of conversations that never happened,” Netanyahu told Fox News, refusing to comment further. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister went even further, calling the story “FAKE” in a statement to CNN.
Despite the public denials, insiders confirm that discussions about increased U.S. involvement have taken place between the two allies. However, an Israeli official noted that no practical military coordination regarding the assassination or joint strikes on Iranian soil had been initiated.
Trump has publicly maintained a cautious stance. Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, he said, “We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved.” The president emphasized that unless American personnel or infrastructure are directly targeted, U.S. military action will remain limited to defensive support.
Over the past several days, U.S. forces have assisted Israel in intercepting waves of Iranian missiles but have refrained from taking part in offensive operations. Trump’s restraint has drawn both praise and criticism, particularly from members of his own party. On Saturday, the president posted on Truth Social, “This conflict should end. We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
The diplomatic route remains fraught, however. Talks scheduled to take place in Oman between U.S. and Iranian envoys were abruptly canceled, a sign of how rapidly the situation is deteriorating. Still, administration officials say efforts to revive dialogue are ongoing, despite growing skepticism.
Meanwhile, Israeli operations against Iranian nuclear sites are expected to stretch over “weeks, not days,” according to both U.S. and Israeli sources. While the U.S. has not endorsed these offensives, it has not opposed them either a reflection of Washington’s complex positioning.
Privately, Trump administration officials have expressed concern about being dragged into a full-scale war. According to White House insiders, the president is highly sensitive to the political risks of foreign entanglements, especially given his promise to prioritize American interests and avoid “nation-building” missions abroad.
In a recent speech to West Point cadets, Trump reiterated that American military resources should not be wasted on foreign wars. “They sent our warriors on nation-building crusades to nations that wanted nothing to do with us,” he said, referencing previous administrations. “That will not happen under my watch.”
Despite these assurances, pressure continues to mount. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recently called for stronger U.S. backing of Israel. “If diplomacy fails, going all in for Israel shows that America is back as a reliable ally,” Graham posted on X (formerly Twitter).
As tensions continue to mount in the Middle East, Trump walks a diplomatic tightrope — determined to avoid war, but not willing to leave Israel without support. Whether this balancing act holds in the face of further provocations remains to be seen.
