Trump, Netanyahu & Iran Strike: Inside the Decision to Attack & Claims of Revenge

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM – Less than 48 hours before a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation commenced against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed President Donald Trump on the urgency of striking, arguing for a “decapitation strike” targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to three people briefed on a phone call between the two leaders.

The call, which has not been previously reported, occurred as intelligence indicated an imminent meeting of Khamenei and key Iranian officials, presenting a rare opportunity for a direct attack on the country’s leadership. Netanyahu, these sources said, emphasized that this might be the most opportune moment to eliminate Khamenei and avenge previous alleged Iranian attempts to assassinate Trump, including a 2024 plot involving a Pakistani man accused of recruiting individuals within the United States, as detailed by the Justice Department.

Whereas Trump had already approved the concept of a U.S. Military operation against Iran, he had not finalized the timing or specific parameters. The U.S. Military had been increasing its presence in the region for weeks, leading many within the administration to anticipate a decision was imminent, though a previous potential launch date was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Reuters was unable to determine the precise impact of Netanyahu’s argument on Trump’s final decision, but the sources believe the call – coupled with the intelligence regarding the narrowing window to strike Khamenei – served as a critical catalyst for Trump’s order on February 27 to proceed with “Operation Epic Fury.”

Netanyahu reportedly argued that eliminating Khamenei could potentially trigger widespread unrest within Iran, potentially leading to the overthrow of the theocratic government established in 1979. He posited that Iranians might take to the streets, rejecting a system he characterized as a source of global terrorism and instability.

The first strikes commenced on the morning of February 28. That evening, Trump announced that Khamenei had been killed.

The White House, responding to a request for comment, did not directly address the reported phone call. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that the military operation was designed to “destroy the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile and production capacity, annihilate the Iranian regime’s Navy, end their ability to arm proxies, and guarantee that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”

Neither Netanyahu’s office nor Iran’s U.N. Representative responded to requests for comment.

During a news conference on Thursday, Netanyahu dismissed claims that Israel pressured the U.S. Into conflict with Iran, stating, “Does anyone really believe that someone can tell President Trump what to do? Arrive on.” Trump has publicly maintained that the decision to strike was solely his own.

While reporting does not suggest Netanyahu forced Trump’s hand, sources indicate the Israeli leader was a persuasive advocate, framing the decision – including the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump – in a manner that resonated with the president. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in early March, alluded to revenge as a motivating factor, stating, “Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh.”

The operation followed a prior, smaller-scale attack in June, in which Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and missile sites, resulting in the deaths of several Iranian leaders. U.S. Forces subsequently joined the operation, which concluded after 12 days, with Trump publicly claiming the U.S. Had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Months later, discussions resumed between the U.S. And Israel regarding a second aerial attack, aimed at further dismantling missile facilities and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Israel as well sought to eliminate Khamenei, a long-standing adversary responsible for repeated missile launches into Israel and support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Initially, Israel planned to act alone, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz. However, during a December visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the June operation, according to two sources familiar with the relationship between the two leaders. Trump indicated openness to another bombing campaign but also suggested exploring further diplomatic talks.

Two events reportedly influenced Trump’s decision to authorize a second attack. The U.S. Operation in January to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which resulted in no U.S. Casualties, demonstrated the potential for ambitious military operations with limited repercussions. Simultaneously, widespread anti-government protests in Iran, met with a violent crackdown by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps resulting in thousands of deaths, prompted Trump to vow support for the protesters, though concrete action was initially limited.

Following the events in Venezuela and Iran, cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. Military’s Middle East command, CENTCOM, intensified, with joint military planning conducted during secret meetings, according to two Israeli officials.

During a February visit to Washington, Netanyahu briefed Trump on Iran’s ballistic missile program, highlighting specific sites of concern and the potential risk of Iran developing the capability to strike the American homeland, sources said.

By late February, many U.S. Officials and regional diplomats considered a U.S. Attack on Iran highly probable, though details remained uncertain. Trump received briefings from Pentagon and intelligence officials outlining the potential benefits of a successful attack, including the destruction of Iran’s missile program.

Prior to the call between Netanyahu and Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned a small group of Congressional leaders on February 24 that Israel was likely to attack Iran, regardless of U.S. Participation, and that Iran would likely retaliate against U.S. Targets. American intelligence officials assessed that such an attack would provoke Iranian counterstrikes against U.S. Diplomatic and military outposts and U.S. Gulf allies, a prediction that proved accurate.

The strikes have resulted in Iranian counterattacks on U.S. Military assets, the deaths of more than 2,300 Iranian civilians and at least 13 U.S. Service members, attacks on U.S. Gulf allies, the closure of a vital shipping route, and a significant increase in oil prices.

Trump was also briefed on the possibility that the elimination of Iran’s top leaders could lead to a more conciliatory government in Tehran. This prospect was one of Netanyahu’s arguments during the call with Trump, sources said. However, the Central Intelligence Agency assessed in the weeks prior that Khamenei would likely be replaced by an internal hardliner if killed.

Following Khamenei’s reported death, Trump repeatedly called for an uprising within Iran. As the conflict enters its fourth week, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards continue to patrol the nation’s streets, and millions of Iranians remain sheltered in their homes. Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader, considered even more anti-American than his father, has been named as his successor.