• Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing no Iranian attacks on Americans.
• Israeli airstrikes on Iran have escalated, resulting in significant casualties and further military exchanges.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu has suggested intensification of military actions against Iranian leadership despite US objections.
• Trump simultaneously expressed hope for negotiations to de-escalate the situation between Iran and Israel.
• The conflict has led to concerns of a broader regional war involving key global powers.

President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following reports from U.S. officials that the Israelis had recognized an opportunity to carry out the action. "Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we're not even talking about going after the political leadership," stated a senior U.S. administration official, emphasizing Trump's stance on restraint, according to Reuters, India Times, and HuffPost.

The directive from Trump came as Israeli military actions intensified, with significant casualties reported following airstrikes on Iran's military infrastructure. Critics within Israel have suggested that targeting Khamenei is necessary amid ongoing Iranian missile strikes on Israeli territory. As violence escalated, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Fox News, "We will do what we need to do, and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States," indicating reluctance to disclose operational details, according to South China Morning Post, CBS News, and BBC.

As Trump navigates the crisis, he has urged diplomatic efforts, suggesting that both Iran and Israel "should make a deal," referencing his past diplomatic successes, while warning Iran against retaliation against U.S. forces in the region. The U.S. maintains that it was "not involved" in the military actions taken by Israel, showcasing a complex balance of power amid rising tensions in the region, as reported by Bloomberg, TRT Global, and India Times.