Fact Check: US President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei since Operation Rising Lion began, according to two unidentified US officials.

Fact Check: Trump Vetoed Israeli Plan to Assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This information comes from multiple sources, including two unidentified U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters and AP News. The plan was presented to the Trump administration amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly during a military operation known as "Operation Rising Lion." The officials noted that Trump opposed the plan due to concerns that such an action could exacerbate regional instability and lead to a broader conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while not directly confirming the assassination plan, acknowledged the ongoing military operations against Iran and suggested that Israel would act in its own interests, stating, "we do what we need to do" (AP News). However, a spokesperson for Netanyahu later dismissed the reports about the assassination plan as "fake" (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Trump vetoed the Israeli plan is supported by multiple credible news outlets, including Reuters, AP News, and Newsweek, which all report similar details regarding the plan and Trump's rejection. The consistency across these sources lends credibility to the claim.

The sources reporting on this incident are reputable, with Reuters and AP being well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The use of anonymous sources, while common in sensitive political reporting, raises questions about the verifiability of the information. However, the corroboration from multiple outlets helps to mitigate concerns about reliability.

Critically, while Netanyahu's spokesperson labeled the reports as "fake," this statement appears to be a strategic dismissal rather than a direct contradiction of the facts. The context of ongoing military operations and the complex relationship between the U.S., Israel, and Iran adds layers of nuance to the situation. Trump's public statements during this period, where he emphasized a desire to avoid further conflict, align with the reported decision to veto the assassination plan (AP News).

Conclusion

Based on the evidence presented, the claim that U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is True. The reports from multiple credible sources confirm that Trump rejected the plan due to concerns about escalating conflict in the region. The consistency of the information across various outlets further supports the validity of this claim.

Sources

1. Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US officials say
2. Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US officials say
3. Israel-Iran clashes escalate, civilians urged to evacuate
4. Donald Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iranian supreme leader
5. Israel Says Goal Is Not Iran Regime Change as Trump Vetoes Ayatollah
6. Report: Trump vetoed elimination of Khamenei
7. Trump Vetoed Israeli Plan To Kill Iran's Supreme Leader, U.S. Officials Say
8. Trump vetoed 'credible plan' by Israel to kill Iranian leader Khamenei