Israel Planned Khamenei Assassination Months Earlier, Defence Minister Reveals

Israel had reportedly decided months earlier to eliminate Ali Khamenei, according to remarks by Israel Katz, who said the operation was planned well before the airstrike that eventually killed the Iranian leader.

Katz stated that Benjamin Netanyahu approved the decision in November last year, with the operation initially scheduled to be carried out several months later.

Plan Later Shared With the United States

According to Katz, the assassination plan was eventually discussed with United States officials.

The timeline of the operation reportedly changed after widespread protests broke out in Iran earlier this year.

Israeli officials feared that growing pressure on Iran’s leadership could push the country’s clerical establishment to launch military action against Israel or US interests in the Middle East.

As a result, the operation was reportedly brought forward to January, months earlier than originally planned.

Khamenei Killed in Airstrike

Khamenei was killed during the opening hours of a joint US–Israeli air campaign launched against Iran.

The strike marked one of the most dramatic events in the ongoing conflict and represented the first time a sitting national leader was killed in an airstrike during a military campaign.

The assassination immediately intensified tensions across the region.

Regional Conflict Escalates

Following the killing of Khamenei, the conflict rapidly expanded across West Asia.

Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets as well as US military facilities in the region.

At the same time, Israel increased military operations against Hezbollah, one of Iran’s key allies.

The escalation has triggered fighting across multiple fronts, including Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Gulf regions.

Growing Global Concerns

The assassination of a country’s top leader has raised serious concerns among international observers about the stability of the region.

Diplomatic sources say the incident could have long-term geopolitical consequences, potentially reshaping alliances and security dynamics in the Middle East.

Several governments have called for restraint and diplomatic dialogue to prevent the conflict from expanding further.

Situation Remains Highly Volatile

Military exchanges between Iran and Israel have continued since the initial strike, with missile attacks, airstrikes and cyber operations reported across the region.

Analysts warn that the conflict could affect global energy markets, international shipping routes and aviation corridors, particularly near strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.

For now, the region remains on high alert as tensions continue to rise and diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the escalating crisis.