Amid the soaring conflict between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could bring an end to the ongoing war between the two nations.
In a 20-minute interview with ABC News, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military campaign against Iran, stating that it aims to “defang” a growing threat to both Israel and global stability.
When asked about reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously blocked an Israeli plan to eliminate Khamenei fearing it would trigger a dramatic escalation Netanyahu dismissed the concern outright.
“It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict,” he said.
Netanyahu went further in his criticism of Iran’s leadership, likening Khamenei to a “modern Hitler” and accusing him of driving the region toward a nuclear crisis.
“The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war,” the Israeli leader said. “In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil.”
While he stopped short of confirming an active plot to assassinate the supreme leader, Netanyahu added:
“We’re doing what we need to do.”
As Israel continues its intensive airstrikes across Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities, missile stockpiles, and military outposts Iran has retaliated with volleys of missiles, intensifying fears of full-scale regional war.
Despite the spiraling violence, Netanyahu has maintained a defiant tone, pushing a narrative that frames the conflict as a global struggle.
“Today it’s Tel Aviv, tomorrow it’s New York,” he warned, describing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile capabilities as threats not just to Israel, but to the Western world at large.
Netanyahu has ramped up his media outreach in recent days, speaking directly to American audiences in a bid to rally support for Israel’s actions.
He accused Khamenei of sponsoring terrorism across the Middle East and vowed to ensure that Iran never acquires the tools to carry out its threats.
“He’s like a modern Hitler. He just will not stop, but we’re going to make sure he doesn’t have the means to carry out his threats,” Netanyahu stated.
In defending Israel’s offensive, Netanyahu claimed it was about more than just self-defense.
According to him, it was about preventing a catastrophic war and creating the conditions for long-term peace.
“It’s preventing the most horrific war imaginable and… bringing peace to the Middle East,” he said. “That will be possible if Iran is defanged.”
