Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz revealed on Thursday that Israel made the decision to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last November. The operation was planned for approximately six months later, as part of Israel’s efforts to counter what it considers an existential threat from Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile project.
Details of the planned operation
Katz explained that the decision was made during a closed meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November, where the objective was defined as eliminating Khamenei. He added that the plan was coordinated with Washington and was formally presented in January following the recent Iranian protests, out of fear that Iranian leaders might launch an attack against Israel or American assets in the region.
Background of the joint air attack
The joint US-Israeli air campaign, which began on Saturday, targeted Iranian sites, killing key leaders and triggering a regional conflict. The attacks also prompted Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel, the Gulf states, and Iraq. Furthermore, Israel launched attacks against Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, as part of a broader effort to undermine Tehran’s military expansion capabilities.
Israel’s strategic goals
The minister asserted that the operation’s objective was to alter the course of Iran’s nuclear program and curtail its ballistic missile capabilities, as well as to attempt to effect regime change in Iran. To date, there have been no indications that the Iranian leadership is willing to relinquish power or revise its policies. This complicates de-escalation efforts and increases the likelihood of a wider military campaign in the region.
