Intelligence sources cautioned former President Donald Trump against assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. The warning indicated that removing Khamenei would not dismantle the Iranian regime. Instead, it predicted the potential rise of a more radical and resolute leadership. This new leadership, the sources feared, could be even more determined to acquire nuclear weapons. The assessment suggests that such an action would likely backfire, escalating tensions and increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation. Trump reportedly received this dramatic warning prior to considering options regarding Iran. The intelligence community believed a destabilizing move could worsen the situation, contrary to the intended effect.