The Israel-Iran conflict took a dramatic turn as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggesting he could face the same fate as former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Katz’s remarks came in the wake of widespread international media reports that Israel may be planning to assassinate the Iranian leader.
Speaking at a press briefing, Katz accused Iran of committing war crimes and targeting Israeli civilians with missile attacks. He asserted that Israel would continue its military operations and strike both the regime and its military infrastructure in Tehran if provoked further. “We are warning the dictator not to continue this path of aggression,” Katz stated.
🚨 Israel Defense Minister Katz warns Khamenei of a fate similar to Saddam Hussein: "Remember what happened to the dictator in the country neighboring Iran who took this path against Israel." pic.twitter.com/VGlmKpq83f
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) June 17, 2025
Amid speculation over the possible targeting of Ayatollah Khamenei, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained tight-lipped. When asked directly if Khamenei was a target in the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu said he could not make any further revelations “at this time.” He, however, reiterated that Iran is a global sponsor of terrorism and accused Tehran of destabilising the region through acts of subversion.
In response, Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks on Israeli targets, escalating the conflict further. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the latest strikes, stating they had entered a new phase of retaliation. According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, these attacks involved advanced weaponry and were significantly more powerful than previous ones. Iranian Army Ground Forces Commander Kiomers Heydari confirmed the developments, claiming the armed forces had used newly developed systems in the assault. He warned that Iran’s military response would intensify in the coming hours.
US President Donald Trump’s abrupt exit from the G7 summit, coupled with his denial of ceasefire efforts and hardline stance on Iran, reinforces Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s warning to Ayatollah Khamenei and fuels growing speculation that Israel, possibly with US backing, is targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader in a high-stakes escalation, as both Washington and Tel Aviv appear to be aligning on a broader strategy aimed at regime change in Tehran.
