JERUSALEM/TEHRAN/BEIRUT: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed that Israel assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei for allegedly directing plans to destroy Israel and warned that any Iranian leader pursuing similar policies could also be targeted. Speaking during Khamenei’s funeral procession in Tehran, Katz said Israel remained ready to respond to any threat.
His earlier remarks that Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was “marked for death” prompted a sharp response from Tehran, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that any threat against Iran’s leadership would receive an immediate and powerful response. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said implementing the recently signed Iran-US memorandum remained difficult but possible, while reaffirming Tehran’s refusal to recognise Israel. He also insisted lasting peace in Lebanon required Iran’s involvement. Separately, Israeli forces demolished homes in southern Lebanon despite a US-backed framework agreement, while Israeli and Lebanese military officials continued US-mediated talks on a phased Israeli withdrawal from border villages.
