Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that Tel Aviv is not “waiting”, noting that he wouldn’t even “issue life insurance policies”.
Netanyahu’s statement came after US President Donald Trump’s warning to Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that the US was open to eliminating the Iranian leader if he refused to comply with American demands, including halting Tehran’s nuclear programme, reported The Wall Street Journal.
What did Netanyahu say?
“I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organisations. This is their patron of terrorism. And I don’t intend to provide an exact report here about what we are planning or what we are going to do,” ANI quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Netanyahu described the younger Khamenei as a “puppet” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and claimed that he was unable to appear publicly.
In a strongly worded statement, Netanyahu indicated that recent developments had altered the strategic dynamics involving Israel, Iran and the wider Middle East. He also alluded to the possibility of further action against organisations that Israel regards as terrorist groups.
“Even now, it can be said with certainty: This is no longer the same Iran. This is no longer the same Middle East. And this is also not the same Israel. We are not waiting, we are initiating, we are attacking. And we are doing so with a force the like of which has not been seen before,” Netanyahu stated.
Referring to the political situation within Iran, he claimed that Israel’s operations were intended to help create conditions that might encourage internal change, while noting that any such transformation would ultimately depend on the Iranian people.
He further stated that he had added another objective, to foster circumstances that could enable Iranians to challenge what he described as a repressive regime, but emphasised that this did not guarantee such an outcome. Netanyahu reiterated that the decision and responsibility for any potential political shift rested with the citizens of Iran.
The Israeli leader acknowledged that Israeli military measures could weaken Iran’s ruling establishment, yet stressed that the future of the regime would be determined by public action within the country.
“You can lead someone to water, but you can’t make them drink,” Netanyahu said, indicating the potential for a popular rebellion against the Islamic Republic’s regime.
The statements come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides accusing each other of fuelling instability across the Middle East.
Israel has frequently claimed that Iran provides support to militant organisations active in various parts of the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
Tehran, however, has rejected these allegations and condemned Israel’s military operations in the region.
Israel has conducted several strikes targeting what it says are Iranian military facilities and allied armed factions in neighbouring countries. Israeli authorities state that such measures are essential to curb Iran’s growing military footprint and influence close to Israel’s borders.
