Israel Planned Khamenei Assassination Months in Advance, Says Defense Minister
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on Tehran, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. Initially, this coordinated military operation led to a 40-day national mourning period declared by the Iranian government and initiated a leadership transition process. Subsequently, Israel conducted additional strikes on Tehran, which prompted Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks, further escalating tensions across the Middle East. Iranians gathered to mourn Khamenei amid these developments, while concerns grew over the future leadership and Israeli threats against his successor. Most recently, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that the decision to assassinate Khamenei was made months in advance, with the operation initially planned for mid-2026 but expedited due to escalating tensions. This sequence of events caused regional unrest and drew international reactions, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical conflict involving Iran and its neighbors.
