Israel's Intentions Revealed
In a shocking revelation, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has admitted that Israel wanted to eliminate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent 12-day war between the two sides. Katz made this statement in an interview with Israel's Channel 13, saying, "We wanted to eliminate Khamenei, but there was no operational opportunity" ¹.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Iran has been escalating, with both sides trading blame and rhetoric. The recent war ended with a US-brokered ceasefire after Iran responded to US strikes with a missile attack on Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base, which houses US troops ².
Katz's Claims and Khamenei's Response
Katz claimed that Khamenei knew an attempt on his life was on the cards and went "underground to very great depths", breaking off contact with commanders who replaced Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders assassinated in the first wave of Israeli strikes. However, Khamenei released video messages during the war, and there is no evidence to confirm that he was cut off from his generals ¹.
Implications of Killing Khamenei
Killing Khamenei would have been a major escalation in the conflict, given his position as the de facto head of state in Iran and top spiritual authority for millions of Shia Muslims worldwide. Katz's comments came amid conflicting reports on the extent of destruction wrought on Iran's nuclear capability, primarily due to US bombing of sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan ³.
Green Light from the US?
The Israeli defence minister said that his country has a "green light" from US President Donald Trump to launch another attack on Iran if it were deemed to be making "progress" with its nuclear programme. This raises concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region ².
Netanyahu's Perspective
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the outcome of the war presented a "window of opportunity" for further formal diplomatic agreements with Arab states. He also stated, "We have fought with determination against Iran and achieved a great victory. This victory opens the path to dramatically enlarge the peace accords" ¹.
Conclusion
The revelation of Israel's intentions to eliminate Khamenei has significant implications for the region. As tensions continue to simmer, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.