The US government for decades shied away from targeting foreign leaders after embarrassing failures and unintended consequences from covert activities by the CIA. Presidents from both parties have killed leaders of terrorist groups such as Osama bin Laden. But in a phone conversation with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Trump offered a more personal reason for killing Khamenei. When the US military has been involved, foreign leaders have faced justice in their own countries. Over hundreds of papers, it ticked through US efforts to undermine foreign leaders and assassinate them.

Source: Egypt Independent March 03, 2026 15:00 UTC