Netanyahu signals potential targeting of Iran’s new Supreme Leader amid ongoing conflict

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday issued a veiled threat against Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, while simultaneously acknowledging that ongoing Israeli and United States operations are unlikely to topple the Tehran government.

Speaking at his first press briefing since the outbreak of hostilities, Netanyahu asserted that Iran “is no longer the same” following attacks that began on 28 February targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the paramilitary Basij forces.

Reuters reported on Friday, he further pledged continued military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, describing their retaliatory strikes against Israel over the previous assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Addressing questions via video link about potential Israeli operations against Mojtaba Khamenei and Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, Netanyahu stated: “I do not intend to provide precise reports here on our plans or what we will do,” even as air-raid sirens sounded in Israel signalling incoming missile threats from Iran.

When asked whether Israel had supplied weapons to Iranian opposition groups and whether efforts to destabilise Tehran might fail, Netanyahu maintained that the Iranian government would remain weakened, regardless of whether it is overthrown.

“I will not detail the actions we are taking. We are creating optimal conditions to destabilise it. I will not deny that I cannot tell you with certainty that the Iranian people will topple it—regimes are overthrown from within—but we can certainly ‘assist,’ and we are doing so,” he said.

In a related development, United States President Donald Trump claimed that Washington is engaged in efforts to “completely destroy the Iranian regime.”

“We have unparalleled military power, limitless ammunition, and ample time,” Trump stated on social media today, underscoring the scale of U.S. involvement in the region.

The statements come amid escalating military confrontations in the Middle East, with both Israel and the U.S. reinforcing their positions while Iran and allied groups continue to retaliate, heightening international concern over regional stability. - March 13, 2026