Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, disclosed in a candid interview with Channel 13 that Israel had actively planned to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the operation was never executed due to a lack of a viable opportunity.
According to a report by The Times of Israel, Katz stated unequivocally, “We wanted to eliminate Khamenei, but there was no operational opportunity.”
This revelation underscores the intensity of Israel’s strategic considerations regarding Iran’s leadership, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Katz’s remarks highlight Israel’s willingness to take decisive action against high-profile targets without external approval.
When questioned about whether Israel sought permission from the United States for such a high-stakes operation, Katz asserted, “We act independently in these matters.”
This statement emphasizes Israel’s sovereignty in its defense policies and its readiness to pursue its national security interests unilaterally, even in operations as significant as targeting Iran’s top leader.
The absence of an “operational opportunity” suggests that Israel’s intelligence and military apparatus closely monitored Khamenei’s movements, but logistical or tactical challenges prevented the mission from proceeding.
Such an operation would have required precise intelligence, significant resources, and a favorable geopolitical context to avoid catastrophic fallout.
Katz’s disclosure sheds light on Israel’s broader strategy to counter Iran’s influence, which includes targeting key figures in its leadership and military structure.
While the plan to eliminate Khamenei did not materialize, the admission signals Israel’s readiness to consider extreme measures to neutralize perceived threats.
This aligns with Israel’s history of covert operations, such as targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional proxy networks.
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