In a significant escalation of rhetoric amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the swiftest way to end the confrontation is to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His remarks came just a day after US officials confirmed that former President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate the Iranian leader during his tenure.
Netanyahu’s comments were made during an interview to international media, where he responded to reports that Trump blocked an Israeli request to kill the Supreme Leader over concerns it would trigger a wider war. “It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict,” Netanyahu said, defending the idea of a targeted strike on Ayatollah Khamenei. “The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of a nuclear war,” he added, “In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s statement came as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fourth day, with both nations launching missiles and drones at each other. Civilian areas have been hit, and casualties are mounting. Military analysts and regional observers fear that the situation is spinning out of control, with no sign of immediate de-escalation. Both Tel Aviv and Tehran have urged their citizens to prepare for a prolonged conflict.
Amid rising tensions and growing concerns about assassination plots, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family have reportedly been moved to a high-security underground bunker at an undisclosed location, according to sources. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is providing around-the-clock security, and as of Monday night, Khamenei is said to be safe, actively monitoring military operations and issuing orders.
Also Read: Isarel-Iran conflict intensifies, fresh blasts rock Tehran
Trump reportedly blocked Israeli assassination plan
The revelation that Trump had previously rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei was first reported by international media, citing senior unnamed officials from the Trump administration. The officials claimed that Israeli intelligence had identified a viable opportunity to eliminate the Supreme Leader, but Trump refused to authorise the operation, believing it would dangerously escalate the Iran-Israel standoff.
While the sources did not specify whether Trump personally conveyed the veto or acted through intermediaries, they noted that Trump and Netanyahu had been in regular communication during that period. When asked about the Reuters report during an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the claim.
“There are so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that,” he said. “I can tell you this — we do what we need to do, we’ll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
As the crisis deepens, Netanyahu’s remarks have drawn sharp reactions globally, with fears rising that any direct action against Iran’s top leadership could trigger a full-scale regional war, involving not just Israel and Iran, but potentially the U.S., Gulf states, and key international stakeholders.
Also Read: Trump vetoed Israeli plot to kill Iran's Supreme Leader: Report
Follow us
