U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two U.S. officials.

The decision, reported by Reuters on Sunday, underscores Trump’s cautious approach to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and his prioritization of diplomacy over military escalation.

Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran in recent days, targeting its nuclear facilities and ballistic missile programs.

The strikes, which began on Friday, June 13, 2025, aimed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions and resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of senior Iranian military commanders.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, killing civilians and intensifying fears of a broader regional war.

Amid this tit-for-tat escalation, Israeli officials informed the Trump administration of an opportunity to eliminate Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s paramount political and religious leader.

The plan, described as credible by U.S. sources, was presented as a potential decapitation strike to weaken Iran’s leadership. However, Trump rejected the proposal, signaling a reluctance to endorse actions that could further destabilize the region.

A senior U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed Trump’s reasoning: “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.”

This statement reflects Trump’s desire to avoid direct U.S. involvement in the conflict unless American lives are directly threatened.

The administration’s stance aligns with Trump’s broader foreign policy goal of minimizing U.S. entanglement in Middle Eastern wars, a sentiment echoed by some of his prominent supporters, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Rand Paul.

Trump’s veto also stems from his ongoing efforts to revive U.S.-Iranian negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. Talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman were canceled due to the Israeli strikes, but Trump has expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution.

In a Friday interview with Reuters, he claimed, “We knew everything” about Israel’s attacks, suggesting close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite the canceled talks, Trump told ABC News that the strikes might accelerate a potential deal, stating, “Something like this had to happen. They want to talk, and they will be talking.”