Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran has been significantly weakened during the ongoing war, while hinting at possible developments regarding the fate of Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Speaking in his first televised remarks since the war with Iran began on February 28, Netanyahu said Israel is “crushing” Iran and its ally Hezbollah, adding that Israeli forces are striking the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces as part of the broader campaign.
Netanyahu stated that Iran is “no longer what it used to be,” emphasizing that Israeli operations are focused on eliminating threats coming from Tehran. He said the primary objective is to prevent Iran from transferring its nuclear and ballistic missile programs underground, where they could become harder to target.
The Israeli leader also said one of the strategic goals of the war is to create conditions that could allow the Iranian people to overthrow the current regime, while also preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities.
Addressing Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Netanyahu suggested that developments could soon occur regarding his future. “There are surprises coming,” Netanyahu said, adding that the new Iranian leader cannot currently appear publicly.
His remarks come amid reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since his appointment, fueling speculation after Iranian officials acknowledged that he had been injured during recent attacks, though they said his condition remains stable.
Netanyahu also reiterated that Israel cannot guarantee the collapse of the Iranian regime, acknowledging that while the military campaign has significantly weakened Iran, the political outcome inside the country ultimately depends on developments within Iranian society.
The Israeli prime minister again warned Lebanon that allowing Hezbollah to continue attacks against Israel could have severe consequences, stating that Beirut is “playing with fire” by permitting the group to operate from its territory.
Netanyahu concluded by saying that Israel has already achieved major accomplishments that could reshape the Middle East, adding that the country is working to build new regional alliances that were previously unimaginable.
