Al-Monitor Exclusive: Netanyahu Urged Trump to Approve Joint Assassination of Khamenei Before Operation Epic Fury

Three sources briefed on a Trump-Netanyahu call reveal that Netanyahu argued for a joint US-Israeli operation to eliminate Supreme Leader Khamenei during a vulnerable meeting, contending it could trigger regime change. Trump issued final orders to proceed on February 27, 2026 — less than 48 hours before strikes began. The operation, dubbed 'Epic Fury,' aimed to destroy Iran's ballistic missile and production capacity, annihilate Iran's navy, end proxy-arming capabilities, and guarantee Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. Netanyahu reportedly framed the operation as avenging Iranian assassination plots against Trump, including a 2024 murder-for-hire scheme.