Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has described Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards,” escalating tensions between the two countries amid the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu made the remark during a press conference late Thursday, where he also suggested that the cleric has been unable to appear publicly since assuming office.
According to the Israeli leader, Khamenei’s limited public visibility reflects his weakened position within Iran’s power structure.
“The cleric cannot show his face in public,” Netanyahu said.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reportedly sustained injuries during an Israeli airstrike in Iran.
Netanyahu also hinted that Israel could target its enemies’ leadership in the ongoing war. He said Israel would not “not take out life insurance” for those it considers threats.
His comments come amid heightened hostilities following nearly two weeks of military confrontation involving Israel, Iran and the United States.
War Could Trigger Regime Change — Netanyahu
The Israeli prime minister said the ongoing strikes against Iranian targets could create conditions for political change in the Islamic Republic.
However, he stressed that any potential overthrow of the Iranian leadership would ultimately depend on the Iranian people.
“I say to the Iranian people: The moment when you can walk out into freedom is drawing ever closer,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu reiterated that the objective of the military campaign launched with the United States was to weaken Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
According to him, the strikes are aimed at dealing “lethal blows” to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and preventing Tehran from concealing them in underground facilities.
He also claimed that Israel had killed a senior Iranian nuclear scientist during the conflict but did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei earlier on Thursday called for revenge for those killed in the conflict.
The message, which was his first statement since assuming office on March 8, was read by a news anchor on Iranian state television.