Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has revealed that Tel Aviv intended to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent 12-day conflict but was unable to act due to a lack of operational opportunity. Speaking to Channel 13, Katz claimed that Khamenei went “underground to very great depths,” severing real-time communication with senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The assertion comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, following a US-brokered ceasefire that ended nearly two weeks of intense hostilities. Katz also dismissed reports suggesting that Washington had blocked the plan, stating that Israel “would not have needed permission” to act against the Iranian leader.
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Targeting Khamenei would have been a dramatic escalation, given his dual role as Iran’s highest political authority and a revered figure among millions of Shia Muslims. Iranian officials have rejected claims that Khamenei was in hiding during the conflict, insisting he remained actively involved throughout.
Meanwhile, questions persist over the extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities following joint Israeli-American airstrikes on sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While Israel says the attacks significantly hindered Iran’s capabilities, Tehran has dismissed the claims, and the IAEA has reportedly stepped up regional monitoring.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the outcome of the conflict as a “great victory,” suggesting it could help further normalize relations with Arab nations under the Abraham Accords framework.
