President Donald Trump personally vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in recent days, according to a new report from Reuters, which cited two US officials familiar with the matter.

The plan, which was proposed in the wake of escalating military strikes between Israel and Iran, was reportedly brought to Trump after Israeli intelligence identified what it believed to be an opportunity to strike Khamenei directly.

The Reuters report says Trump rejected the proposal.

According to the officials, Trump was briefed on the operation and ultimately declined to offer his endorsement after Israeli leaders sought American backing before proceeding.

One of the sources said, “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.”

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy confirmed the Reuters report Sunday, reporting Trump “punted” on it after a proposal for an assassination was brought to him.

Trump’s reported decision comes as some fear the Middle East is on the brink of wider conflict.

Israel has spent the past week launching airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, including enrichment sites and military and energy infrastructure. Iran has responded with ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities and has threatened to escalate its retaliation.

On Sunday, Trump told ABC News that the U.S. is “not involved” in the current conflict but left open the possibility of joining Israel’s campaign to destroy Iran’s nuclear program.

“It’s possible we could get involved,” he said.

He also acknowledged reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the US to consider striking Iran’s Fordo nuclear site, a fortified underground facility the IDF is incapable of destroying without US weapons.

Trump also revealed in his ABC interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate the conflict, and that he is open to the idea.

“He called me about it. We had a long talk,” Trump said.

Netanyahu told Fox News anchor Bret Baier Sunday that he ordered attacks on Iran because its nuke program was an imminent and “existential threat” to Israel.

The post JUST IN: Trump ‘Vetoed’ Plan By Israel to Kill Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei, Per Reports first appeared on Mediaite.

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/QzYinDR