Fact Check: "President Donald Trump rejected a plan presented by Israel to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that President Donald Trump indeed rejected a plan from Israel to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to a U.S. official familiar with the situation, the Israeli government had developed a credible plan to kill Khamenei and presented it to the Trump administration. After reviewing the proposal, the White House communicated to Israeli officials that Trump opposed the operation, fearing it could escalate tensions in the region and lead to broader conflict (AP News, Reuters, Washington Post).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not confirm or deny the rejection during a recent interview, but he emphasized that Israel would act in its own interests regardless of U.S. positions (CBS News). Following the reports, a spokesperson for Netanyahu labeled the claims about the assassination plan as "fake" (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Trump rejected the Israeli plan is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the Associated Press, Reuters, and CBS News. Each of these outlets cited U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, which is a common practice in sensitive political matters. The anonymity of the sources adds a layer of credibility, as it suggests that the information comes from individuals with direct knowledge of the events but who cannot speak publicly due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
However, the reliability of the claim is somewhat complicated by the response from Israeli officials, particularly Netanyahu's spokesperson, who dismissed the reports as "fake." This contradiction raises questions about the internal dynamics between the U.S. and Israel regarding military strategies and operations against Iran. While Netanyahu's comments suggest a level of denial or disagreement, they do not directly refute the U.S. officials' claims.
Overall, the consensus among multiple news outlets and the corroboration from U.S. officials lend significant weight to the assertion that Trump did indeed reject the assassination plan.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that President Donald Trump rejected a plan presented by Israel to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The consistent reporting from various news organizations, along with the details provided by U.S. officials, supports the accuracy of this statement. Despite some contradictory remarks from Israeli officials, the evidence strongly indicates that Trump opposed the plan, aiming to prevent potential escalation in the region.
Sources
- Trump rejected Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US official ...
- Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US ...
- Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US ...
- Trump rejected Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, CBS News ...
- Trump vetoed Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran's supreme leader
- Trump told Israel not to kill Iran's supreme leader - POLITICO
- Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, U.S ...
- Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iranian supreme leader - NBC New York
