Latest disclosure: How Netanyahu persuaded Trump 48 hours before the assassination of Khamenei

Ask AI · How did Netanyahu impress Trump with a dual narrative?

On February 28, a joint US-Israel airstrike targeted Iran, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei. This military action, dubbed the “Epic Fury Operation” by the US, raises the question of whether it was Trump’s proactive decision or Netanyahu’s “final persuasion” that played a crucial role. According to multiple sources, details of the call between the leaders of the US and Israel just 48 hours before the attack have been revealed for the first time.

The “final statement” 48 hours prior

According to three sources familiar with the call, Netanyahu spoke with Trump on February 27, the day before the joint airstrike on Iran. This call had not been reported before.

It is said that Trump had already approved the idea of a military action against Iran but had not yet decided when to intervene. For weeks, US military forces had been ramping up their presence in the region, and insiders believed it was only a matter of time before the president decided to act.

Changes in intelligence became a key catalyst. Sources say that both Trump and Netanyahu learned from earlier intelligence briefings that Khamenei and his top aides would soon meet at his residence in Tehran, making them vulnerable to a “decapitation strike.”

However, the latest intelligence indicated that the meeting had been moved up from Saturday night to Saturday morning, meaning the window for action was closing.

It was during this call that Netanyahu made his “final statement” to Trump. Three insiders believe that this call, along with intelligence indicating that the timing for assassinating the Iranian leader was running out, catalyzed Trump’s decision to order the military to initiate the “Epic Fury Operation” on February 27.

Dual narrative: Assassination of Khamenei and revenge for Trump

Sources say that Netanyahu’s lobbying strategy skillfully wove together two narrative threads.

The first thread is “historic opportunity.” Netanyahu told Trump that he could make history by “helping to overthrow a regime long despised by the West and many Iranians.” He also mentioned that Iranians might even take to the streets to overthrow the theocratic regime that had ruled the country since 1979.

The second thread was more personal, namely “revenge for Trump.” According to sources, Netanyahu mentioned during the call the “previous plot by Iran to assassinate Trump.” In 2024, the US Department of Justice charged a Pakistani man with attempting to recruit individuals in the US to participate in a plot to assassinate Trump, aimed at retaliating for Washington’s killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Netanyahu portrayed this military action as the “best timing” for revenge against this assassination attempt.

This argument clearly resonated with Trump. US Secretary of Defense Esper hinted in early March that revenge was at least one of the motives for the operation. He told reporters, “Iran attempted to assassinate President Trump, and President Trump had the last laugh.”

From hesitation to approval

Trump publicly stated during the 2024 campaign that he hoped to avoid war with Iran, preferring diplomatic means. Sources say that after last year’s negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program failed to reach an agreement, Trump began to consider striking Iran.

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and missile launch sites, with US forces joining in; the joint operation ended 12 days later. However, it was reported that Netanyahu was not completely satisfied with the outcome of that operation. During a visit to Trump at Mar-a-Lago last December, he told Trump that he was “not entirely satisfied” with the joint operation in June. Trump indicated that he did not rule out conducting bombing operations again.

In January of this year, two events prompted Trump to reconsider military action against Iran.

On January 3, the US successfully captured Venezuelan President Maduro in Caracas without causing any American military casualties, indicating that ambitious military actions could have limited collateral consequences.

Later that month, large-scale anti-government protests erupted in Iran, drawing widespread international attention. Trump vowed to support the protesters but did not take immediate public action.

In February of this year, during his visit to Washington, Netanyahu briefly outlined Iran’s growing ballistic missile program to Trump and explained its dangers, including the possibility that Iran could ultimately acquire the capability to strike the US mainland.

According to three individuals familiar with the conversation between Netanyahu and Trump, prior to the call, Secretary of State Rubio had informed senior congressional leaders on February 24 that Israel might attack Iran, regardless of US participation, and that Iran might subsequently retaliate against US targets.

Thus, on February 27, Trump ultimately ordered the military to initiate the “Epic Fury Operation.” The first bomb was dropped on the morning of February 28. That evening, Trump announced Khamenei’s death.

(Editor’s email: ylq@jfdaily.com)