Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (local time) issued a stark warning to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to dig a “puppet”, stressing that there is no “life insurance” for the leaders of the Tehran regime.Speaking at his first press conference since the start of the war with Iran, Netanyahu said that the joint military campaign by Israel and the United States is progressing faster than expected and has significantly weakened Iran.“The campaign is going better than expected,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel today is “stronger than ever.” He also mocked Iran’s new supreme leader, calling him a “puppet” in the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and claiming that he “cannot show his face in public.”
When asked whether Israel would target Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei after he was killed in a joint US-Israeli raid on February 28, Netanyahu said: “I will not issue life insurance policies to any of the leaders of terrorist organizations.” He added, “I do not intend to provide an accurate report here about what we are planning or what we will do.”
Israel defends strikes on Iran
Netanyahu defended the military campaign against Iran, saying the strikes were necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
“If we do not act immediately, within a few months, Iran’s death industries will become immune to any strike,” he said. “So, we are out fighting together — the United States and Israel — to continue what we started and to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. And to prevent Iran from developing ballistic missiles that threaten Israel, the United States, and the entire world. This is our goal.”Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, called “Operation Visiting Lion,” on February 28. The United States later joined the attack as part of Operation Epic Fury.These operations aim to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, dismantle its missile program, and weaken its regional agent networks, according to Israeli and American officials.
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Netanyahu hints at pressure for regime change
The Israeli Prime Minister also noted that the military campaign could help create conditions for political change within Iran.He said, “We are directing devastating blows to the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, whether in the streets or at checkpoints, and we are still active.”Addressing the Iranian people directly, Netanyahu said: “The moment when you can embark on a new path to freedom, that moment is approaching. We stand with you, and we help you. But in the end, it depends on you! It is in your hands.” However, he noted that Israel would not deploy ground forces to overthrow the Iranian government.
“You can lead someone to water, but you cannot make him drink,” Netanyahu said.He added: “We will work to create the optimal conditions to do so, including air strikes as we did yesterday, as we are doing these days, to try to give them the necessary space to take to the streets.”
“Not the same Iran, not the same Middle East”
Netanyahu also claimed that the war had already changed the regional balance of power. He added: “In any case, the war has ensured that it is no longer the same Iran, it is no longer the same Middle East, and it is no longer the same Israel.”He added that Israel adopted a more aggressive military doctrine in the conflict.“We are not waiting. We are taking the initiative and attacking, and we are doing so with unprecedented force,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel still has “many surprises” planned in the campaign.
Netanyahu praises relations with Trump
The Israeli leader also highlighted his close coordination with US President Donald Trump during the war.“We have created an unprecedented alliance with the United States, an alliance with our great friend, my personal friend, President Trump.
We talk almost every day. “We talk freely, we exchange ideas and advice, and we make decisions together,” Netanyahu said.He added: “Our relationship is a hundred times stronger than any relationship that existed between an American president and an Israeli prime minister. We are not only thinking about our two countries, or only this generation. We are thinking about future generations, and the future of humanity.”