In a stark escalation of rhetoric amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly signaled that targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, could be on the table as part of efforts to end what he described as a decades-long campaign of aggression from the Islamic Republic.
Speaking in a televised interview on Monday, Netanyahu argued that such a move would not spark further violence but rather conclude the conflict by striking at what he called the “heart of the problem.” “It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict,” he said, pointing to Iran’s extensive history of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East.
He accused Tehran of maintaining a policy of perpetual war, stating, “The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants. They’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. What Israel is doing is preventing this.” Netanyahu characterized Israel’s military actions as a necessary stand “against the forces of evil.”
While he declined to explicitly confirm whether Iran’s Supreme Leader was a direct target, he made clear that Israel’s strategy includes striking senior figures linked to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “We’ve targeted their top nuclear scientists,” he said. “It’s basically Hitler’s nuclear team.”
Netanyahu further warned that Iran’s nuclear threat extends well beyond Israel, calling it a global danger. “Today, it’s Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it’s New York. They chant ‘Death to America.’ This is a battle of good against evil,” he said, adding that U.S. support is both moral and strategic.
Rejecting recent reports that Iran may be seeking to deescalate and return to negotiations over its nuclear program, Netanyahu cast doubt on their intentions. “They lie, they cheat, they string the U.S. along,” he said. “We have solid intelligence that shows they’re using talks to mask the continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.”
He also addressed criticism from American conservatives, including media figures who oppose U.S. involvement in the conflict. “We’re not just fighting our enemy. We’re fighting your enemy,” Netanyahu said, referencing Iran’s frequent anti-American rhetoric. “To say ‘this is not your business’ that’s not myopia, that’s blindness.”
Netanyahu reiterated that the actions Israel is taking are not just in its own interest but in defense of global security. “Sometimes you have to take a stand against evil. Most Americans understand that. And so does President Trump. We cannot let this continue.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has issued its highest travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank, warning citizens not to travel to the region as the situation remains highly volatile.
