In a stunning and unprecedented admission, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has publicly revealed that the Jewish state actively sought to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the recent 12-day conflict. The bombshell confession comes just days after a US-brokered ceasefire brought a fragile calm to the escalating tensions between the two regional rivals. ๐๏ธ
Speaking in a series of candid interviews with major Israeli television broadcasters, Katz stated that "If he had been in our sights, we would have taken him out." He further elaborated, "We searched a lot," indicating a concerted effort to locate and neutralize Iran's top religious and political figure. This marks the first public confirmation by a senior Israeli official of a direct plot to target Tehran's supreme leadership, a significant shift from previous disclosures that focused on striking Iran's nuclear infrastructure. โข๏ธ
However, the audacious plot ultimately proved "unrealistic," according to Katz. He claimed that Ayatollah Khamenei, aware of the threat, "went very deep underground, broke off contact with the commanders" and successfully evaded capture. The Iranian leader has reportedly been out of public sight since Israel's June 13 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which led to the deaths of several senior commanders and scientists. Khamenei made his first public appearance via a recorded video today, declaring victory over Israel and dismissing US involvement. ๐ฅ๐
The Israeli Defence Minister also asserted that Israel did not require, nor did it seek, American approval for such a high-stakes operation. This statement seemingly refutes earlier media speculation about potential US vetoes on the assassination plan. ๐บ๐ธ๐ซ
While the ceasefire has temporarily shifted priorities, Katz warned that any future provocations from Iran would be met with force. He ominously compared Khamenei's situation to that of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last year, suggesting that Khamenei should remain in deep hiding for his own safety. "I wouldn't recommend that he stay tranquil," Katz advised. ๐คซโ๏ธ
This revelation underscores the extreme volatility of the Israel-Iran rivalry and signals a dangerous new precedent in the shadow war between the two nations. The admission is likely to further inflame tensions and could have significant repercussions for regional stability. ๐๐ฅ