Trump vetoes Israeli plan to kill Iran's Ayatollah, citing risk of regional escalation

(TNND) — President Donald Trump vetoed Israel’s plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

Israeli officials informed the Trump administration of a recent and credible plan they had developed to kill Khamenei.

After being briefed on the plan, the White House informed Israeli officials that the U.S. president was opposed to his move, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Trump administration is determined to keep Israel’s military operation of undermining Iran’s nuclear program from turning into an even larger conflict and saw the plan to kill Khamenei as a move that could escalate the conflict and potentially destabilize the region.

On Sunday, Trump issued a warning to Iran against retaliating on U.S. targets in the Middle East. He also predicted that Israel and Iran would “soon” make a deal to end their conflict.

In a social media post, Trump said the United States “had nothing to do with the attack on Iran,” as Israel and Iran traded attacks for a third day straight. Iran, on the other hand, has issued threats to the U.S. for any aid given to Israel in the attacks.

“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,” Trump said.

Hours later, Trump said on social media that “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal."

Trump is set to travel to Canada on Sunday for the Group of Seven leaders summit where the crisis in the Middle East is expected to loom largely over his talks with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the European Union.