Striking Netanyahu claim from US press regarding Khamenei operation! Who called whom before the attack?
According to a report by the US-based news outlet Axios, it is alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called US President Donald Trump before the attack that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his senior advisors to provide intelligence regarding the meeting.
İHA
US-based news site Axios has brought a striking claim to the agenda regarding the attack that has pushed tensions between Israel and Iran to their peak. The report alleges that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made direct contact with US President Donald Trump before the operation that targeted Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his inner circle.
According to information based on unnamed government officials, Netanyahu called Trump on February 23 to inform him that Khamenei would be holding a meeting with senior advisors in Tehran on the morning of Saturday, February 28. He reportedly conveyed that this meeting presented an opportunity to target a large number of high-ranking Iranian officials in a single strike. It is stated that Trump then instructed the US intelligence agency, the CIA, to verify the information.
DECISION PHASE AFTER INTELLIGENCE CONFIRMATION
According to the report, Trump chose to keep the Iran issue in the background during his State of the Union address on February 24, taking into account the possibility that Khamenei might increase security measures or relocate.
On the other hand, it was noted that the CIA confirmed the intelligence regarding Khamenei and his advisors on the day the latest negotiations between the US and Iran took place. Following this development, the assessment that the ground was suitable for the operation gained strength. It is alleged that after Trump's representatives submitted a report stating that "an agreement was not possible" following the latest nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva, Trump gave the order for the attack the following day.
PLANNED TIMELINE CHANGED
Officials stated that the US and Israel had initially planned to carry out the attack at the end of March or the beginning of April to build public support. However, it was stated that Netanyahu insisted on moving the operation date forward, citing the risk that hidden Iranian opposition leaders could be killed by the regime.
The report also included the words of an official who said, "We couldn't make the necessary preparations in advance because the opportunity came to us very quickly."