Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would have killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent war if given the chance, but Khamenei went deep underground, making it impossible. Katz told Israeli media that Israel would now stop assassination attempts due to the ceasefire agreed on June 24.

He warned Khamenei to remain in hiding, referencing Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed by Israel in 2024. Katz also claimed Israel’s airstrikes severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though he admitted they didn’t neutralize enriched uranium. The 12-day war began on June 13, with both sides later claiming victory.