Israel brands Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei a ‘modern Hitler’ who ‘should no longer continue to exist’
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
‘No one is immune!’ Iran’s leader ‘cannot continue to exist’ says Israel as war rhetoric rapidly escalates
Defence Minister Israel Katz hinted that Israel could look to assassinate the Iranian dictator. He refused to say whether Israel would pursue regime change as part of its military offensive in Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also kept an Ayatollah assassination attempt on the table, telling reports that he had given instructions that “no one is immune” US President Donald Trump, who approved US action against Iran last night before admitting he has not made a final decision, previously vetoed Israeli plans to wipe out Khamenei. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Israel against eliminating the Iranian leader. The Human Rights Activists News Agency believes Iran’s death toll now stands at 639, with a further 1,329 people sustaining injuries.
Visiting the bombed city of Holon, Defence Minister Israel Katz hinted that Israel Defence Forces could look to assassinate the Iranian dictator.
During a visit to the bombed Beersheba hospital just outside Tel Aviv, Katz refused to say whether Israel would pursue regime change as part of its military offensive in Tehran. Katz, who previously suggested Khamenei could face the same fate as executed ex-Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein, also compared the Iranian Supreme Leader to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei GETTY
An image of Israeli air strikes in Iran REUTERS
“These [repeated missiles strikes on civilian targets] are not a statistical deviation that can be explained away — he sees this as part of the mission to destroy the State of Israel.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also kept an Ayatollah assassination attempt on the table, telling reports that he had given instructions that “no one is immune”. US President Donald Trump, who approved US action against Iran last night before admitting he has not made a final decision, previously vetoed Israeli plans to wipe out Khamenei. A senior White House official said: “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.”
Members of the Israeli security forces walk at the Soroka Medical Center, the city’s general hospital, at an impact site following a missile strike from Iran on Israel, in Beersheba REUTERS
Israel Katz during the handing over ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem GETTY
However, Trump is still mulling over whether to approve US strikes against Iran. The 47th President rushed to the Situation Room last night after keeping his options on the table. “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due, because things change, especially with war,” Trump added. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Israel against eliminating Khamenei.
Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Reuters
MAPPED: The state of play following Israel and Iran’s strikes on Friday morning GB NEWS
The Russian dictator said that he “doesn’t even want to discuss” the Iranian leader’s potential assassination. When asked if Russia was ready to provide Iran with modern weapons to defend itself against Israeli strikes, Putin pointed out Moscow and Tehran had signed a strategic partnership treaty in January that did not envisage military cooperation. Israel and Iran have launched strikes against one another on every day since June 13. The Human Rights Activists News Agency believes Iran’s death toll now stands at 639, with a further 1,329 people sustaining injuries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sign a strategic partnership treaty during a ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow GETTY
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Soroka hospital complex REUTERS
An Iranian Missile Hit Southern Israel’s Largest Hospital. Here’s How Netanyahu, Katz Responded.
Iranian state media said its target was a military site next to the hospital, not Soroka itself. About 40 patients suffered minor injuries in the attack. The surgical wing that was most damaged had been evacuated days ago. Defense Minister Israel Katz called Iran’s missile strike a “war crime” and said Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei will be “held accountable” “The objectives of the war are to remove the nuclear threat, eliminate sources of destruction, and neutralize missile threats,” he said. “Within this framework, the IDF has been instructed and knows that to achieve all the objectives, without question this man should no longer continue to exist”
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Dr. Shlomi Kodesh, director of the Soroka Medical Center that was hit, said about 40 patients suffered minor injuries in the attack but the surgical wing that was most damaged had been evacuated days ago.
Iranian state media said its target was a military site next to the hospital, not Soroka itself.
Still, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge.
“This morning, Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the center of the country,” he said on X. “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”
Several hits were identified as a result of the missile barrage—one of them hitting the largest hospital in southern Israel. https://t.co/G29iJqGyiH — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2025
⚠️RAW FOOTAGE:
This hospital was one of Iran’s targets this morning. pic.twitter.com/urqFxa6P2e — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2025
Direct hit on a hospital in southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/4s1lQMAAX2 — Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 19, 2025
Defense Minister Israel Katz called Iran’s missile strike a “war crime” and said Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei will be “held accountable.”
“The cowardly Iranian dictator sits in the depths of the fortified bunker and fires aimed shots at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel,” he said on X. “These are war crimes of the most serious kind – and Khamenei will be held accountable for his crimes.The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran in order to remove threats to the State of Israel and undermine the ayatollahs’ regime.”
Katz was even more direct as he spoke with reporters while visiting the site of Thursday’s missile strike in Holon, calling Khamenei “the modern Hitler.”
Katz was then asked whether taking out the supreme leader was among Israel’s goals.
“The objectives of the war are to remove the nuclear threat, eliminate sources of destruction, and neutralize missile threats,” he said, reports the Times of Israel. “Within this framework, the IDF has been instructed and knows that to achieve all the objectives, without question this man should no longer continue to exist.”
Israel Defence Minister says Khameni can’t be allowed to exist
Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “the modern Hitler” and “cannot continue to exist” He compared it to the scenario in which, during the horrific Holocaust, if the State of Israel had existed and a strong Israel Defence Forces had existed, and we knew we could send the IDF into a bunker to capture the enemy of the Jewish people, Hitler, we would have done it. He called Khamenei a coward and said that he was accountable for war crimes of the most serious kind. The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran in order to remove threats to the state of Israel and undermine the ayatollahs’ regime,” he said. US President Donald Trump previously vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei, later said there were no plans to kill him, “at least not for now” The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune.
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Katz said that under the IDF’s war goals, “without question this man should not continue to exist.”
“A dictator like Khamenei, who heads a country like Iran and has made the destruction of the State of Israel his declared goal, this horrific goal of destroying Israel, cannot be allowed to continue or materialize,” The Times of Israel quoted him as saying.
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“I compare it to the scenario in which, during the horrific Holocaust, if the State of Israel had existed and a strong Israel Defence Forces had existed, and we knew we could send the IDF into a bunker to capture the enemy of the Jewish people, Hitler, in order to thwart his plan to annihilate the Jews, we would have done it,” he said.
“We would have sent the IDF, extracted him, and eliminated him. And just like that, correspondingly, I see the current situation — Khamenei is the modern Hitler.”
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In a post on X, he called Khamenei a coward and said that he was accountable for war crimes.
“The cowardly Iranian dictator sits in the depths of the fortified bunker and fires aimed shots at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel. These are war crimes of the most serious kind – and Khamenei will be held accountable for his crimes. The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran in order to remove threats to the State of Israel and undermine the ayatollahs’ regime.”
הדיקטטור האיראני הפחדן יושב במעמקי הבונקר הממוגן ויורה ירי מכוון לעבר בתי חולים ובנייני מגורים בישראל. אלה הם פשעי מלחמה מהסוג החמור ביותר – וחמינאי יתן את הדין על פשעיו. ראש הממשלה ואני הנחינו את צה”ל להגביר את עוצמת התקיפות נגד יעדים אסטרטגיים באיראן ונגד יעדים שלטוניים בטהרן… — ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) June 19, 2025
Katz further said, “This is a man who has stood at the head of a powerful nation for decades and has great ideological influence. He uses it and openly says he supports the destruction of Israel. He mobilizes all available resources, even at the expense of his own people, for this purpose. And today we see proof that he is personally giving the order to fire on hospitals and residential buildings. These [repeated missiles strikes on civilian targets] are not a statistical deviation that can be explained away — he sees this as part of the mission to destroy the State of Israel.”
Asked then whether eliminating Khamenei falls under the war’s goals, Katz said, “The objectives of the war are to remove the nuclear threat, eliminate sources of destruction, and neutralize missile threats. Within this framework, the IDF has been instructed and knows that to achieve all the objectives, without question this man should no longer continue to exist.”
US officials said this week that President Donald Trump previously vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him, “at least not for now.” (ANI)
(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)
Ayatollah marked for DEATH as Israel says fanatical Iran leader ‘can’t continue to exist’ after Trump decides on blitz
Israel says fanatical Iran leader ‘can’t continue to exist’ after Trump decides on blitz. Donald Trump blasted the Wall Street Journal for having ‘No Idea’ about his decision to approve US attacks on Iran. US President has approved plans to attack Iran but is holding off in case Tehran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minster, Kazem Gharibabadi, hit back: “If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself” Iran’s Fordow nuclear development area is likely to be the prime target of any imminent US airstrikes. Israel has knocked out banking services and destroyed Iranian crytpo. US has taken a serious sign that the regime is spreading panic, with internet and banking services intermittently being knocked out. Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and UN’s nuclear watchdog for supposed violations of international law. Israel hacked Iranian state TV to broadcast footage of women chopping their hair and protesting.
IRAN’S Supreme Leader “cannot continue to exist”, Israel warned – as Donald Trump continues to hover over his decision to directly join the spiralling conflict.
Defence minister Israel Katz branded Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the “modern Hitler” who “should not continue to exist” while visiting the site of a missile strike near Tel Aviv.
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5 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ‘can’t continue to exist’, Israel said Credit: Reuters
5 Smokes raises from a building of the Soroka hospital after an Iranian strike which injured at least 71
5 Donald Trump said the Wall Street Journal has ‘No Idea’ about plans to attack Iran Credit: EPA
5 A still image released by Iranian media that shows a missile being fired towards Israel Credit: Reuters
5 Revolutionary scenes were beamed across Iranian TVs after Israel briefly hacked the state broadcaster Credit: X
It comes as Donald Trump blasted the Wall Street Journal for having “No Idea” about his decision to approve US attacks on Iran.
The US President said on Truth Social: “The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!”
The newspaper reported that Trump had greenlit attack plans for Iran – but held off on giving the final order.
Iranian state TV was also hijacked on Thursday, as footage was broadcast across the country calling for an uprising against its own regime.
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Images of women chopping their hair and protesting were briefly beamed to screens by pro-Israeli hackers, who have also knocked out banking services and destroyed Iranian crytpo.
The footage repeats famous rebellion motto: “Women, life, freedom”, that Netanyahu recited as he encouraged civilians to overthrow the creaking government.
The PM said this week: “In the end, [Iranians] have to rise up themselves, but we are creating the conditions.”
A major Israeli hospital and an Iranian nuclear reactor were both blitzed during a sixth night of heavy missile exchange.
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Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was severely damaged when it was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile.
Israel’s Health Ministry reported over 271 casualties across the country, with 71 injured during the hospital attack.
The IDF confirmed it attacked an “inactive” plutonium nuclear reactor in Arak to “prevent it from being restored and used for nuclear weapons”.
After days of speculation, Trump has approved plans to attack Iran but is holding off in case Tehran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme, reports the Wall Street Journal.
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If given the go-ahead, the plans would see the US join Israel in pounding Iran’s nuke sites – which Tehran has warned would spark “all out war”.
The UK is yet to declare whether it would stand with the US if it committed, as Attorney General Lord Hermer questions the legality of Israel’s action, according to Sky, and Starmer held a Cobra meeting.
Trump has become much more vocal on the conflict, though still refuses to confirm his plans: “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said on Wednesday about striking Iran.
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Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minster, Kazem Gharibabadi, hit back: “If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself.”
Iran’s Fordow nuclear development area is likely to be the prime target of any imminent US airstrikes.
Israel doesn’t have the weapons to strike the core of the mountain fortress site, but the US has a fearsome 15-ton mega bomb, known as a Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb, which could bust it open.
Trump acknowledged the US is the only nation capable of blitzing the key nuke site, but added: “That doesn’t mean I’m going to do it – at all.”
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He has also been manoeuvring US Air Force assets into battle-ready positions as the military stands ready to enact orders.
Iran’s infrastructure has taken a serious pounding, with internet and banking services intermittently knocked out.
In a sign that panic is spreading, the regime has been reaching for ways halt Israel’s surgical offensive through international conventions.
Iran today requested an emergency meeting of the UN’s Security Council and reported Israel to the nuclear watchdog for supposed violations of international law.
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The Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has also arranged to meet with his European counterparts in Geneva tomorrow, according to state media.
And President Trump revealed that Iran has been knocking at the door to rekindle negotiations with the US towards a nuclear deal – an option which he has not yet totally ruled out.
Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog below…
Ayatollah marked for DEATH as Israel says fanatical Iran leader ‘can’t continue to exist’ after Trump decides on blitz
Israel says fanatical Iran leader ‘can’t continue to exist’ after Trump decides on blitz. Donald Trump blasted the Wall Street Journal for having ‘No Idea’ about his decision to approve US attacks on Iran. US President has approved plans to attack Iran but is holding off in case Tehran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minster, Kazem Gharibabadi, hit back: “If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself” Iran’s Fordow nuclear development area is likely to be the prime target of any imminent US airstrikes. Israel has knocked out banking services and destroyed Iranian crytpo. US has taken a serious sign that the regime is spreading panic, with internet and banking services intermittently being knocked out. Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and UN’s nuclear watchdog for supposed violations of international law. Israel hacked Iranian state TV to broadcast footage of women chopping their hair and protesting.
IRAN’S Supreme Leader “cannot continue to exist”, Israel warned – as Donald Trump continues to hover over his decision to directly join the spiralling conflict.
Defence minister Israel Katz branded Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the “modern Hitler” who “should not continue to exist” while visiting the site of a missile strike near Tel Aviv.
Advertisement
5 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ‘can’t continue to exist’, Israel said Credit: Reuters
5 Smokes raises from a building of the Soroka hospital after an Iranian strike which injured at least 71
5 Donald Trump said the Wall Street Journal has ‘No Idea’ about plans to attack Iran Credit: EPA
5 A still image released by Iranian media that shows a missile being fired towards Israel Credit: Reuters
5 Revolutionary scenes were beamed across Iranian TVs after Israel briefly hacked the state broadcaster Credit: X
It comes as Donald Trump blasted the Wall Street Journal for having “No Idea” about his decision to approve US attacks on Iran.
The US President said on Truth Social: “The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!”
The newspaper reported that Trump had greenlit attack plans for Iran – but held off on giving the final order.
Iranian state TV was also hijacked on Thursday, as footage was broadcast across the country calling for an uprising against its own regime.
Advertisement
Images of women chopping their hair and protesting were briefly beamed to screens by pro-Israeli hackers, who have also knocked out banking services and destroyed Iranian crytpo.
The footage repeats famous rebellion motto: “Women, life, freedom”, that Netanyahu recited as he encouraged civilians to overthrow the creaking government.
The PM said this week: “In the end, [Iranians] have to rise up themselves, but we are creating the conditions.”
A major Israeli hospital and an Iranian nuclear reactor were both blitzed during a sixth night of heavy missile exchange.
Advertisement
Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was severely damaged when it was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile.
Israel’s Health Ministry reported over 271 casualties across the country, with 71 injured during the hospital attack.
The IDF confirmed it attacked an “inactive” plutonium nuclear reactor in Arak to “prevent it from being restored and used for nuclear weapons”.
After days of speculation, Trump has approved plans to attack Iran but is holding off in case Tehran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Advertisement
If given the go-ahead, the plans would see the US join Israel in pounding Iran’s nuke sites – which Tehran has warned would spark “all out war”.
The UK is yet to declare whether it would stand with the US if it committed, as Attorney General Lord Hermer questions the legality of Israel’s action, according to Sky, and Starmer held a Cobra meeting.
Trump has become much more vocal on the conflict, though still refuses to confirm his plans: “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said on Wednesday about striking Iran.
Advertisement
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minster, Kazem Gharibabadi, hit back: “If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself.”
Iran’s Fordow nuclear development area is likely to be the prime target of any imminent US airstrikes.
Israel doesn’t have the weapons to strike the core of the mountain fortress site, but the US has a fearsome 15-ton mega bomb, known as a Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb, which could bust it open.
Trump acknowledged the US is the only nation capable of blitzing the key nuke site, but added: “That doesn’t mean I’m going to do it – at all.”
Advertisement
He has also been manoeuvring US Air Force assets into battle-ready positions as the military stands ready to enact orders.
Iran’s infrastructure has taken a serious pounding, with internet and banking services intermittently knocked out.
In a sign that panic is spreading, the regime has been reaching for ways halt Israel’s surgical offensive through international conventions.
Iran today requested an emergency meeting of the UN’s Security Council and reported Israel to the nuclear watchdog for supposed violations of international law.
Advertisement
The Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has also arranged to meet with his European counterparts in Geneva tomorrow, according to state media.
And President Trump revealed that Iran has been knocking at the door to rekindle negotiations with the US towards a nuclear deal – an option which he has not yet totally ruled out.
Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog below…