Netanyahu Labels Iran’s New Leader a Revolutionary Guards ‘Puppet,’ Hints at More Strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a sharp personal attack on Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards.” In a late Thursday press conference, Netanyahu claimed the cleric “cannot show his face in public,” suggesting he operates entirely under the control of Iran’s elite military force, which has been central to Tehran’s regional activities and its response to Israeli attacks.
The comments directly target Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was officially appointed to the position on March 8. Israeli and U.S. officials believe Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in an Israeli strike inside Iran earlier this month, though this has not been independently confirmed. Netanyahu’s remarks signal a continued Israeli strategy of undermining the authority of Iran’s highest leadership.
The Prime Minister further hinted at the possibility of additional covert or military actions against Iranian targets. “I would not take out life insurance for Israel’s foes,” Netanyahu stated, a phrase interpreted as a threat to pursue further assassinations or strikes against high-value individuals in Iran.
Netanyahu reiterated that the ongoing military campaign between Israel and Iran, now in its second week, aims to inflict “lethal blows” on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. He accused the Iranian leadership of attempting to conceal these programs in underground facilities and asserted that Israel had killed a senior Iranian nuclear scientist during the conflict, though no specifics were provided.
While advocating for the removal of Iran’s ruling system, Netanyahu stopped short of claiming direct responsibility for its overthrow. He stated that sustained Israeli pressure could create conditions for such an outcome but emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the Iranian people. In a direct appeal to them, he said, “The moment when you can walk out into freedom is drawing ever closer.”
The Israeli leader’s statements followed the first public address by Mojtaba Khamenei since his appointment. Broadcast on Iranian state television on Thursday, the new Supreme Leader called for vengeance for those killed in the recent conflict, framing the Israeli attacks as an aggression against Iran.
The public rhetorical escalation comes amid a tense, shadowy war between the two regional adversaries. Israel’s declared objective is to severely degrade Iran’s strategic military capabilities, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks, primarily through proxy forces and its own direct strikes. The personalization of the conflict, with Netanyahu targeting the new Supreme Leader, underscores a new phase where leadership decapitation is both a tactic and a declared war aim.
Analysts note that Netanyahu’s framing of Mojtaba Khamenei as a mere figurehead may be intended to sow discord within Iran’s theocratic establishment, pitting the clerical leadership against the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC controls significant elements of Iran’s economy and military and is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and others.
The conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain. With Israel suggesting further action and Iran vowing retaliation, the risk of a wider regional escalation persists. The international community continues to call for de-escalation, while both sides appear committed to a protracted struggle over Iran’s nuclear future and its regional influence.
