There are indication that Iran‘s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those tipped for elimination, but when Israeli authorities briefed the US on the plan, President Donald trump opposed it.
The plan was then aborted after the Israeli authorities implemented a streamlined list.
Confirming the report to CBS News on Sunday, a US officials familiar with the matter revealed that Israeli had the opportunity of assassinating the Iranian leader but that Trump conveyed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it wasn’t a good idea.
Daily Intel reported that Israel on Friday launched an attacked against Iran, which targeted nuclear sites, killing Iranian top military chiefs and nuclear scientists, among others.
Mr. Trump’s rejection of the proposal was first reported by Reuters.
They said conversation between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump reportedly took place prior to the attack of Friday, after both leaders maintained regular contact, and was said to have spoken Monday, Thursday and Friday.
During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu did not directly confirm or deny Reuters’ report when asked about the matter.
“There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened and I’m not going to get into that,” he said. “But I can tell you I think we do what we need to do. We will do what we need to do and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States and I’m just not going to get into it.”
Mr. Trump has not commented publicly on the report. On Sunday, he issued a stark warning to Iran against retaliating against U.S. targets in the Middle East.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said the U.S. “had nothing to do with the attack on Iran” as Israel and Iran traded missile attacks for a third straight day.
“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,” Mr. Trump said.
Hours later, Mr. Trump appeared to predict “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal.”
The 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 make” after the two countries’ recent cross-border confrontation.
