Israel Defense Minister Katz: Planned to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, but no opportunity for action.

Israel Defense Minister Katz: Planned to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, but no opportunity for action.

In a significant escalation of Israel-Iran tensions, Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly declared that the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considered a primary objective. Katz made this statement during a press conference at the site of a missile strike in Holon, central Israel, which injured several Israelis [1].

Katz accused Khamenei of personally ordering strikes on civilian targets, including hospitals and residential buildings. He likened Khamenei to Adolf Hitler, stating that if Israel had existed during the Holocaust, it would have eliminated Hitler to stop the atrocities [1]. Katz's strong rhetoric follows reports that Israel had intended to assassinate Khamenei during its recent offensive against Iran, but that US President Donald Trump vetoed the move [1].

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while visiting a missile impact site in Beersheba, declined to match Katz's tough talk, stating that Khamenei's assassination remained an open option. However, he advised against discussing the matter in the press [1]. Netanyahu also claimed that Israel has the ability to carry out the entire mission by itself if needed, despite indications that heavy American bombs may be needed to eliminate parts of Iran's nuclear program buried deep underground [1].

The Israeli government has stated that the current campaign is preemptive, aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and growing its ballistic missile arsenal. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has stated that regime change in Tehran is not a goal set by the security cabinet "for the time being" [1].

The escalation in rhetoric and potential actions against Khamenei marks a notable shift in Israel's stance on Iran. The relationship between Israel and Iran is one of the most complex and volatile in modern history, with both nations engaged in a protracted proxy conflict across the region [2]. The potential assassination of Khamenei, even if only rhetorical, elevates the conflict to an unprecedented level, directly challenging the core leadership of the opposing state.

References:
[1] https://www.timesofisrael.com/ratcheting-up-threats-defense-minister-says-irans-khamenei-cannot-continue-to-exist/
[2] https://bitcoinworld.co.in/israel-iran-tensions/