Israel decided to kill Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. The operation, codenamed “Operation Roaring Lion” and the United States is calling “Epic Fury” aimed at eliminating key Iranian leaders and disrupting Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs. The decision was made in the days following Hamas and Hezbollah's deadly attack. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, only gave the order for the operation in November 2025. The assassination of Khamenei was part of an order by Netanyahu to target those Israel concluded were behind the attack and prevent future attacks on the country. Israel has a long track record of capturing or assassinating its enemies, dating back to its founding in 1948.