Defense Minister Israel Katz says that Ali Khamenei “can no longer be allowed to exist”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Thursday that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, “can no longer be allowed to exist.” This statement comes after reports that former US President Donald Trump allegedly prevented an Israeli plot to assassinate Khamenei.
Last Friday, Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and carried out targeted assassinations of high-ranking military figures. These actions prompted a response from Iran, leading to an exchange of attacks between the two nations.
Katz’s statement followed a missile strike that reportedly inflicted significant damage to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, a major city in southern Israel. According to the hospital’s director general, Shlomi Codish, the missile impacted an evacuated older building.
“There is widespread damage to other buildings at the hospital. All patients and all staff were in shelters,” Codish stated. “The several injured we have are lightly hurt, mostly from the blast shockwave.”
Katz asserted that Khamenei was personally responsible for ordering attacks on hospitals, which, in his view, justified calling for the Iranian leader’s death. He also accused Khamenei of aiming to destroy Israel.
However, Iranian media outlets reported that the intended target was an Israeli military intelligence installation located in the Gav-Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park, approximately 1.3km from the hospital.
Several Western news sources reported last week that Israel had consulted with the US regarding a plan to assassinate Khamenei before the latest escalation. Axios reported that Trump rejected the plan, with US officials reportedly telling Israel, “The Iranians haven’t killed an American and discussion of killing political leaders should not be on the table.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a Fox News interview on Sunday that Iran had made two attempts to assassinate Trump and continues to see him as a target because of his strong opposition to Tehran.
US authorities have accused two individuals, one posthumously, in separate cases of attempting to assassinate Trump during his 2024 campaign, but neither was linked to Tehran. US officials have also alleged that Iran conspired with individuals in the US to kill Trump before his second election victory, allegations which Tehran has denied.
Trump recently threatened Khamenei on social media, stating that he is “an easy target, but is safe” because “we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” He also demanded that Iran surrender unconditionally.
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