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Less than two days before the U.S.-Israeli airstrike on Iran commenced, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump to discuss the rationale behind launching the complex, distant conflict Trump had previously campaigned against.
Both leaders were aware from earlier in the week’s intelligence briefings that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his senior aides would soon gather at his Tehran compound, presenting an opportunity for a “decapitation strike”—a targeted attack often employed by Israelis to eliminate top leadership, though less commonly used by the U.S. historically.
Recent intelligence updates indicated the meeting had shifted from Saturday night to Saturday morning, according to three individuals familiar with the call. This conversation between the two leaders has not been reported before.
Netanyahu, eager to proceed with an operation he had championed for years, contended that it might be the best chance to eliminate Khamenei. At the time of the call, Trump had already approved the idea of conducting a military action against Iran but had not yet set a specific date or criteria for involvement, sources say, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the internal discussions.
U.S. military forces had been accumulating presence in the region for weeks, leading many within the government to believe that a decision from Trump was imminent. A potential earlier operation had been canceled due to poor weather conditions.
While it’s unclear how Netanyahu’s persuasiveness influenced Trump’s final decision to proceed with the strike, the call represented the Israeli leader’s strongest argument. The three sources indicated that the intelligence about a shrinking window to target Khamenei likely played a key role in President Trump’s ultimate authorization on February 27, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
The initial bombings took place on Saturday morning, February 28, and later that evening, Trump announced Khamenei’s death.
In response to inquiries, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly did not directly comment on the call but stated that the military mission aimed to “destroy Iran’s ballistic missile and production capabilities, eliminate their navy, prevent them from arming proxies, and ensure Iran never develops nuclear weapons.” Neither Netanyahu’s office nor Iran’s UN representative replied to requests for comment.
During a Thursday press conference, Netanyahu dismissed as “fake news” claims that Israel had somehow dragged the U.S. into conflict with Iran, asserting, “Does anyone truly believe someone could tell President Trump what to do? Come on.” Trump has publicly maintained that he alone made the decision to strike.
Though reports—primarily from Reuters—based on anonymous sources close to both leaders, suggest Netanyahu was a persuasive advocate, they do not imply he coerced Trump into war. The reporting indicates Netanyahu effectively framed the opportunity to eliminate Khamenei as a compelling reason for the attack.
In early March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted that revenge may have been a motivating factor, stating, “Iran tried to kill President Trump, and he got the last laugh.”
In 2024, Trump campaigned on a platform emphasizing “America First,” advocating to avoid war with Iran and favoring diplomatic solutions. However, as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program failed last spring, Trump began considering a strike, according to three individuals familiar with White House deliberations.
In June, Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear and missile sites, killing several Iranian officials. U.S. forces later joined the operation, which lasted 12 days, with Trump publicly celebrating the success, claiming Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “obliterated.”
Months later, discussions about a second attack targeting additional missile sites surfaced, aiming to thwart Iran’s progress toward nuclear armament. Israel initially planned to act alone, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating on March 5 that they expected to undertake the attack independently.
During a December visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction with the June operation’s outcomes, prompting Trump to consider a new strike alongside renewed diplomatic efforts.
Two significant events influenced Trump’s renewed urgency: the January 3 U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which demonstrated the possibility for limited collateral damage in military actions, and the eruption of large-scale protests in Iran. Trump publicly supported the protests but initially offered limited direct aid, while privately increasing cooperation with Israeli military planners.
Later, Netanyahu briefed Trump during a February visit on Iran’s expanding missile program, highlighting specific installations and warning of the threat posed to U.S. homeland security. The White House did not comment on these meetings.
By late February, U.S. officials and regional diplomats largely viewed an attack on Iran as imminent, though details remained uncertain. Briefings indicated that a successful strike could dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, with some officials warning that Iran would retaliate against U.S. targets—predictions that proved accurate as Iranian counterattacks, civilian casualties, and disruptions at key shipping routes ensued, impacting global oil markets.
Another consideration was whether assassinating Iran’s top leaders could lead to regime change, potentially more amenable to negotiations. While Netanyahu saw this as a key argument for the strike, CIA assessments prior indicated that killing Khamenei might instead empower hardliners, making diplomacy more difficult.
Despite the intense military campaign, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards still patrol the streets, and many citizens remain confined indoors. Recently, Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, known for his hardline stance, has been reports to take over as Iran’s new supreme leader.
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