No—there’s no credible evidence Trump will try to kill Iran’s Khamenei “this week.” The viral claim traces back to a single ex‑ambassador’s speculative post, not a confirmed plan.

If you saw headlines screaming that “experts” expect an imminent U.S. assassination attempt on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, here’s the twist: the plural “experts” shrink to one former diplomat posting on social media. Meanwhile, the public record points the other way.

The headline vs. the facts

• True: Donald Trump publicly called for “new leadership” in Iran—widely read as an end to Khamenei’s rule. He said it on Jan. 17, 2026, and major outlets reported it. Time
• True: Khamenei has ruled since 1989—about 37 years to early 2026. Wikipedia
• Also true: As of January 2026, Trump is the U.S. President (second term began Jan. 20, 2025). Wikipedia

Now the claim that lights the fuse:

• Unproven and misleading: The assertion that “experts” say Trump could attempt to assassinate Khamenei “this week” comes from a single prediction by ex‑U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro in a post on X/Twitter. No corroboration, no official confirmation. World Israel News summary

What the record actually shows

Here are the inconvenient facts the viral narrative skips:

• Contradictory reporting (2025): Multiple outlets, citing U.S. officials, reported Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei—hardly the green light for a U.S. hit. Israeli officials disputed parts of those stories, but the thrust is clear: Washington did not approve such a killing. WBAL
• Trump’s own words (2025): He said the U.S. knew Khamenei’s whereabouts but would “not, at least now,” kill him—explicitly pushing back on immediate assassination talk. AP
• Legal and political brakes: U.S. policy under Executive Order 12333 states: “No person shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.” Combat operations are a separate legal category, but an overt “assassination” carries real legal and political barriers. EO 12333
• Not proof, just posture: Tehran warned that any attack on Khamenei would be a “declaration of war.” That’s Iran’s deterrent rhetoric—not evidence of a U.S. plan. Guardian

How the rumor took off

We traced the “this week” assassination talk back to a single social‑media post by Dan Shapiro. Then came the online echo: headlines citing “experts,” links relinking links, and a frightening claim gaining weight simply by repetition. Think of it like the telephone game—each retelling adds drama, not facts.

Our checks:

• Searched for independent corroboration in major U.S. and international outlets: none found.
• Looked for U.S. government statements or briefings indicating an imminent operation: none.
• Cross‑checked for conflicting evidence: found 2025 reports of a vetoed assassination plan and Trump’s own on‑record caution.

What’s verified—and what isn’t

• Verified: Trump publicly called for “new leadership” in Iran. Time
• Verified: Khamenei’s rule spans roughly 37 years. Wikipedia
• Not verified: Any U.S. plan to assassinate Khamenei “this week.” The claim rests on one ex‑ambassador’s opinion post, with no official or independent confirmation. World Israel News
• Counter‑signals: Reports Trump rejected an Israeli assassination proposal in 2025; Trump’s own words urging restraint; established U.S. policy limiting assassinations. WBAL, AP, EO 12333

Why this matters

Assassination rumors can inflame tensions, move markets, and spark miscalculation. The difference between “tough talk” and “approved operation” is not a nuance—it’s the line between diplomatic pressure and a regional war. Iran’s warning that such an attack equals war underscores the stakes. Guardian

What we still don’t know

• Covert decisions can change fast—and are often secret. We can’t prove a negative.
• But extraordinary claims require at least ordinary evidence. So far, there is none.

Bottom line

• Key correction: There is no confirmed U.S. plan to assassinate Khamenei “this week.” The “experts” claim collapses to one speculative post.
• What is true: Trump is publicly pressuring Tehran and calling for new leadership—while prior reporting and legal constraints point away from an imminent, announced assassination move.

Stay skeptical of headlines that travel faster than their sources. When a story rests on a single loud voice, it’s usually telling you more about the echo chamber than the facts.