Israel Planned Khamenei Assassination Months in Advance, Says Defense Minister

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed that the decision to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was made in November, with plans to execute the operation approximately six months later.

Khamenei was killed during the initial hours of a joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign that commenced on Saturday, marking the first assassination of a nation's top leader by an airstrike. The coordinated assault has led to a regional conflict, with Iranian attacks in Israel, the Gulf, and Iraq, and Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Katz stated that in November, a select group convened with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who set the objective of eliminating Khamenei. The operation was initially scheduled for mid-2026 but was expedited around January following protests in Iran, raising concerns that the pressured clerical rulers might launch attacks against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.

Israel has expressed its aim to eliminate the perceived existential threat from Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile project and to bring about regime change. However, Iran's leaders have shown no indication of relinquishing power.