Israel-Linked Khamenei Assassination Tied to Oct. 7 Hamas Attack

USA TODAY reports that Israel decided to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials as part of a long-planned operation prompted by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack; the plan intensified after Israel’s 12‑day war with Iran in June 2025, with Netanyahu ordering planning in November 2025. The campaign began Feb. 28, targeting Iran’s leadership to blunt its ballistic missile program and nuclear efforts, aided by heightened US–Israel intelligence collaboration.