Iran’s Intelligence Chief Accuses U.S. and Israel of Plotting to Assassinate Khamenei
Iran’s intelligence chief has accused the U.S. and Israel of plotting to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming foreign adversaries seek to target him through assassination attempts or hostile attacks. The accusation comes amid heightened tensions following a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, during which Israeli strikes killed several senior Iranian officials and nuclear scientists. The Iranian intelligence minister warned that infiltrating agents of the enemy might be operating within Israeli institutions, citing the recent arrest of an Israeli Air Force officer accused of spying for Tehran.
The claim is part of a broader narrative of escalating tensions between Tehran and its regional adversaries. The 12-day conflict saw Israeli strikes targeting Iranian assets, including nuclear facilities and military command centers, prompting Tehran to condemn the attacks as unprovoked. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a stance backed by the United States, which joined Israeli forces in raiding Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Khatib’s allegations of espionage within Israeli institutions highlight the complex web of covert operations between the two nations. The minister’s claim that Iran had obtained sensitive nuclear information and other security documents underscores the perceived threat of espionage. This revelation, combined with Iran’s firm posture during the war, has led Khatib to suggest that regional power dynamics are shifting in favor of Iran.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu dismissed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei during the war, though he suggested such a strike would “end the conflict.” Trump had previously called Khamenei a “very easy target” and claimed Washington would not “take him out, at least not for now,” later stating on Truth Social that he had spared the Iranian leader from “A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.”
Khamenei, 86, has held the position of supreme leader since 1989 and holds final authority over all state affairs in Iran. His survival is crucial to the stability of the theocratic regime, and any threat to his life is a significant concern for Iran’s leadership. The accusation of an assassination plot reinforces the perception of a dangerous international environment and underscores the deepening hostility between Iran and its adversaries.