Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Thursday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would have been assassinated during the recent 12-day conflict—had he been within Israel’s reach. “I estimate that if Khamenei had been in our sights, we would have taken him out,” Katz stated in an interview with Israel’s Kan public television. However, he acknowledged that Khamenei evaded targeting by going deep underground and severing contact with military leaders.
Katz explained that Khamenei’s extreme precautions made any assassination attempt unrealistic. “Khamenei understood this, went underground to very great depths, and broke off contacts with the commanders who replaced those who were eliminated,” he said. The war began on June 13 with Israel striking key Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists, significantly weakening Tehran’s operational chain of command.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump had both hinted during the conflict that Khamenei’s life was at risk, with Trump suggesting the war could lead to regime change. However, the conflict concluded with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire on Tuesday, leaving Khamenei in power but exposing Iran’s vulnerabilities.
The remarks by Katz underscore Israel’s aggressive stance toward Iran’s leadership and its willingness to target top figures if given the opportunity. With tensions still simmering, the possibility of future confrontations remains high. Analysts warn that Iran may seek retaliation, setting the stage for further instability in the region.