Netanyahu Warns Iran's New Leader & Defends US-Israel Assault

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and defended Israel’s joint military operation with the United States against Tehran, as tensions in the Middle East remain high.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu indicated that Iran’s senior leadership could remain under threat but stopped short of outlining specific targets. “I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organization,” he said when asked about Mojtaba Khamenei and Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah.

His remarks followed nearly two weeks of coordinated U.S.-Israel airstrikes carried out against Iranian military facilities and political sites.

• Netanyahu warns Iran’s new leader amid ongoing US-Israel strikes
• Israel says attacks weakened Iran’s military command structure
• Middle East tensions remain high after Iran leadership change

The campaign began in late February and included attacks that killed Iran’s longtime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a leadership transition in Iran and increasing Middle East tensions.

Netanyahu said the strikes had weakened Iran’s security structure, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary forces. According to him, Iran and its regional allies are “not the same” after the strikes, pointing to the damage inflicted on Tehran’s military command structure.

At the same time, Netanyahu acknowledged that the offensive may not result in the collapse of Iran’s ruling system. He said any regime change in Iran would ultimately depend on the Iranian population rather than external military action, even as Israel continues operations against Iranian targets.

The conflict has spread beyond Iran. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, launched attacks on Israel earlier this month following the killing of Ali Khamenei. Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue strikes on Hezbollah positions in response to those attacks.

Netanyahu also confirmed close coordination with the United States during the campaign, adding that he has remained in contact with U.S. President Donald Trump while the joint military operation continues.

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Despite the strikes, Israeli officials say internal unrest in Iran has not yet emerged inside Iran, raising questions about whether the military pressure will weaken the country’s political leadership. During Netanyahu’s remarks, missile alerts in Israel sounded in several areas, highlighting the risk of further escalation as both sides remain engaged in confrontation.