Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards,” referring to the elite force at the forefront of Tehran’s attacks.
Netanyahu said at a press conference late Thursday that the cleric “cannot show his face in public.”
Khamenei, the son of the slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is believed to have been wounded in an Israeli strike in Iran.
Netanyahu hinted at possible further assassination attempts, saying he would not “not take out life insurance” for Israel’s foes.
Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes in Iran could create conditions for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic’s ruling system, though he added that such an outcome ultimately depended on the Iranian people.
“I say to the Iranian people: The moment when you can walk out into freedom is drawing ever closer,” he said.
Netanyahu reiterated that the aim of the nearly two-week-old war launched with the United States is to deal “lethal blows” to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and to prevent the Iranian leadership from hiding those programmes in underground facilities.
He also said Israel had killed a senior nuclear scientist during the conflict but did not provide further details.
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Khamenei had earlier on Thursday called for revenge for the victims of the war in his first statement since becoming the supreme leader on March 8.
The comments were read by a news anchor on state television.
The Israeli leader also warned that Israel would continue its military campaign until it was certain that Iran’s nuclear ambitions had been decisively curtailed. He said intelligence assessments suggested that key elements of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure had already suffered significant damage since the strikes began.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have strongly condemned the remarks by Netanyahu, accusing Israel of attempting to destabilise the country and undermine its leadership. They insisted that Iran’s nuclear programme remains peaceful and that the country would respond firmly to any continued aggression.
Security analysts say the latest exchange of threats underscores the growing volatility in the region, as both sides signal readiness to escalate the conflict. They warn that prolonged hostilities could further draw in regional actors and complicate diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
International observers have called for restraint from all parties, urging renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. Several governments and global organisations have reiterated the need for dialogue and adherence to international law to avoid further humanitarian and economic consequences.
