Iranian Intelligence Chief Accuses U.S. and Israel of Plotting Against Khamenei
Iran’s intelligence chief, Esmail Khatib, has made allegations against the United States and Israel, claiming that they are engaged in plots to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ISNA news agency reported this accusation, which has brought renewed attention to the tensions between Iran and its regional adversaries. Khatib, according to the news agency, indicated that the enemy is targeting Khamenei, often through assassination attempts or hostile actions, with the United States and Israel being the main culprits.
The accusation is set against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which reached a peak during a 12-day military conflict in June. This conflict, which ended in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on June 24, saw Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military commanders. The strikes resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including nuclear scientists, prompting Iran to denounce the attacks as unprovoked. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes as a necessary step to curb Iran’s potential development of nuclear weapons, a campaign that was supported by the United States, which joined Israeli raids on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22.
Khatib also warned about the presence of infiltrating agents within Israeli institutions, citing the recent arrest of an Israeli Air Force officer suspected of spying for Tehran. He accused Iran of having obtained sensitive nuclear information and security documents from these agents, indicating that the intelligence breach had been a significant factor in the escalation of tensions. Additionally, Khatib suggested that the firm stance taken by Iran during the war indicated a shifting regional power dynamic, potentially altering the balance of influence in the Middle East.
Netanyahu, while addressing recent allegations, dismissed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei during the war. He claimed that such a strike would have ended the conflict. Trump, on the other hand, had previously referred to Khamenei as a ‘very easy target’ and stated that Washington would not ‘take him out, at least not for now,’ later asserting that he had spared the Iranian leader from ‘A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH’ on his social media platform.