Tel Aviv, Israel – Web Desk: Israel has warned it could target any future Iranian leader following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a recent airstrike, according to Israeli media reports.
Speaking to local media, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that whoever succeeds Khamenei as Iran’s Supreme Leader could also be considered a target.
“Anyone who assumes leadership in Iran after Ali Khamenei may also be targeted,” Katz was quoted as saying, signaling a further escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran.
Katz added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli military to remain prepared for potential action against Iran’s new leadership. He stressed that Israel would not soften its strategy toward Tehran and would continue operations in coordination with the United States.
The remarks follow an Israeli airstrike two days ago that reportedly hit an underground bunker where Khamenei was chairing a high-level security meeting. According to reports, senior Iranian officials, including top military and security figures, were also killed in the strike.
Israel has not publicly released detailed operational evidence, while Iranian authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive official response regarding the succession process.
The process to select Iran’s next Supreme Leader is expected to be carried out by the Assembly of Experts. Among the names widely discussed in Iranian political circles is Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, although no formal decision has been announced.
The latest threat underscores mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as the Israel-Iran conflict risks further destabilizing the region. International observers have expressed concern that continued escalation could broaden into a wider confrontation.
