Israel decided to kill Khamenei in November, defense minister says

STORY: :: Jerusalem / March 5, 2026

:: Israel's defense minister says the decision to kill Iran's Supreme Leader was made in November

:: Israel Katz, Israeli Defense Minister

"We were already in November when we sat with the prime minister in a very small forum, and the prime minister set a goal to eliminate the Khamenei regime in November. In November."

"And in consultation with the IDF and the Mossad, the target was ultimately set for the middle of the current year  meaning May or June  to carry this out. Because that was the conclusion based on the insights and results from 'Am Kelavi'. We achieved amazing results in 'Am Kelavi'. We thwarted the nuclear program, we thwarted the missile program, but we needed to ensure they would not restore those capabilities."

:: He also says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump when the riots began in Iran

"There was dialogue between the prime minister and the President of the United States in meetings, a kind of dialogue began, and then the riots started in Iran."

"But there was also a serious concern at that time that, as a result of the regime's pressure due to the riots, Iran would launch a preemptive strike against the State of Israel and against American forces in the region. They had organized plans, which we monitored and knew about. It became clear that there was a need to advance the operation."

Khamenei was killed in the first hours of the U.S.-Israeli air campaign that began on Saturday in the first assassination of a country's top ruler by an airstrike.

The joint air assault is nearing the end of its first week after opening salvos killed the country's leaders and set off a regional war, with Iranian attacks in Israel, the Gulf and Iraq, and Israeli attacks against Iran's ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The plan was eventually shared with the Washington and brought forward around January after protests broke out Iran, when Israel was concerned its pressured clerical rulers might launch an attack against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, Katz said.

Israel has said its aim is to eliminate the existential threat it sees in Iran's nuclear programme and ballistic missile project, and to bring about regime change. Iran's rulers have so far shown no sign of relinquishing power.