Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly made multiple private phone calls to US President Donald Trump over the past month, urging an attack on Iran, despite publicly advocating for a diplomatic resolution, according to four people familiar with the matter, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
The lobbying effort came amid broader coordination between US and Israeli forces, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued his long-standing campaign urging strikes against Iran, which he views as an existential threat to Israel. Netanyahu also reportedly lobbied Trump for the attack.
President Trump ultimately launched the attack on Iran, targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after nearly four decades in power, following the combined pressure from both Saudi and Israeli leaders, the sources said.
However, Iranian state television on Sunday confirmed the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to any massive US or Israeli attack on his residence.
A presenter on state television announced Khamenei's death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.
The confirmation came after United States President Donald Trump said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in Israeli-US attacks on Iran.