Trump Reportedly Vetoed Israeli Plan To Kill Iran’s Leader; U.S. Declines Joining Strikes On Iran
President Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official, amid strikes that have targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders since Friday.
Trump's veto was reportedly over fears such a move could escalate the conflict and destabilize the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not directly address the report, but said in an interview on Fox News that regime change is not the goal of Israel's operation, but "could certainly be the result" of the conflict "because the Iranian regime is very weak."
In recent days, Israel has escalated its operation by targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, which is key to its economy and could increase oil prices. Tehran also hit an oil refinery in northern Israel during a missile strike Sunday. The death tolls have risen to more than 200 in Iran and at least two dozen in Israel after four days of attacks.
Happening now: Sirens are sounding across central and southern Israel following a ballistic missile attack from Iran.
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Despite the escalation, Tehran has reportedly told Arab intermediaries that it may be open to returning to negotiations if the U.S. does not join the Israeli fight, according to a WSJ report.
Iran’s willingness to talk is likely more about preventing further escalation, as there's no indication it's willing to make new concessions on its nuclear program.
Israeli leaders appear determined to continue the offensive, and say the operation could take “weeks, not days" to inflict maximum damage on Iran’s nuclear sites and weaken the regime’s hold on power.
Bottom line: While the United Nations’ atomic watchdog says Israel’s strikes have caused critical damage to several nuclear facilities, analysts warn that if Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment site remains operational, Israel will have failed in its goal. Most analysts agree that Israel either needs U.S. support and weaponry to destroy the heavily fortified Fordow site, which is buried deep inside a mountain, or “unforeseen tactical ingenuity.”
For now, the Trump administration is keeping its distance. Trump told reporters Sunday, “It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved.” He noted on Truth Social Sunday that if the U.S. is attacked, "the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before." Publicly, he is still pushing for a ceasefire and a renewed nuclear deal with Iran.
