Trump approved Iran strike after Netanyahu urged killing of Khamenei
Mar 23rd 2026 · United States
Less than 48 hours before a US-Israeli strike on Iran, Netanyahu urged Trump to seize an intelligence window to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Trump approved the operation.
- Netanyahu called Trump less than 48 hours before the strike and argued there was a rare chance to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Intelligence indicated Khamenei and senior aides would meet at his Tehran compound earlier than planned, creating a narrow targeting window.
- Trump approved a US-Israeli operation that used that intelligence to strike Iran.
- The Justice Department says Iran plotted a 2024 murder-for-hire scheme targeting Trump and has accused a Pakistani national of recruiting operatives in the United States.
Articles
- Trump approved Iran operation ‘after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei’ www.scmp.com
- Trump bet on Israeli coup scheme in Iran – NYT www.rt.com
- Exclusive: Trump approved Iran operation after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei www.reuters.com
- Netanyahu vows further strikes on Iran and Lebanon as missile hits Tel Aviv www.theguardian.com
- Saudi Prince Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls www.nytimes.com
- Trump’s Threat to Iran Crosses a Line, Rights Experts Say www.nytimes.com
- Prospect of US-Iran talks puts Netanyahu under pressure www.bbc.com