Trump Approved Iran Operation Following Netanyahu’s Plea for Khamenei’s Elimination
Less than 48 hours before the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran commenced, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Donald Trump to approve a joint operation to eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. According to sources cited by Reuters and Haaretz, Netanyahu argued that this was a pivotal moment to act against Khamenei, particularly in light of previous Iranian attempts to assassinate Trump in 2024.
Netanyahu’s Long-Held Objective
British media sources indicate that Netanyahu had been advocating for such an operation for decades. The timing of the proposed strike was influenced by intelligence briefings revealing that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and key associates would be meeting at a Tehran residence, making them vulnerable to attack. Haaretz reported that both Trump and Netanyahu were aware of this intelligence.
Trump’s Decision
While Trump had reportedly already approved the concept of a military operation against Iran, the phone conversation with Netanyahu served as a catalyst for his final decision to authorize the strike. Reuters sources indicated that Trump had been considering a military operation but hadn’t determined the specific timing or circumstances until after speaking with Netanyahu.
Earlier Discussions
Prior to the final conversation, Netanyahu and Trump discussed the possibility of military action during a phone call on February 23, which sources described as a decisive moment in escalating tensions with Iran, as reported by Haaretz.
Context of Iranian Attempts on Trump’s Life
Netanyahu framed the potential strike as an opportunity to avenge Iran’s alleged attempts to assassinate Trump in 2024, adding urgency to the request. This context, combined with the intelligence regarding Khamenei’s location, reportedly influenced Trump’s decision-making process.