Israeli Defence Minister Katz Targets Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Threatens 'Third War'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a stark warning, revealing that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is now on Israel’s military target list. The statement comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries, even as diplomatic processes continue. In an interview cited by Fox News on Tuesday (30/6), Katz explicitly named Mojtaba Khamenei as a primary target. “(Mojtaba) has been marked for assassination,” Katz stated, referring to the leader’s status within Israeli intelligence and military operations. Katz stressed that Israel would not hesitate to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran should the situation deteriorate. He outlined two primary scenarios that could trigger an open conflict, which he referred to as a ‘third war’. The first scenario would be if US President Donald Trump officially declares the end of negotiations with Tehran and opts for a military course of action. The second would be if Iran launches another direct attack on Israeli territory. “If Iran attacks, there will be a third war. The situation is very clear,” Katz said. He added that any missile attack from Iran would be met with a swift and proportionate response. “Israel will never allow Iranian missiles to attack without retaliation. It will happen within two days,” he continued. The target identified by Israel, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is an enigmatic figure. Since being appointed to succeed his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba has rarely appeared in public. Unlike his father, who frequently participated in state and religious events, Mojtaba is known as a behind-the-scenes operator. With a strong background in intelligence, he manages Iran’s strategic affairs largely away from the public eye, making his current status a significant question mark for the international community. Katz had previously warned that Israel would strike Iran within 48 hours if Tehran launched missiles at Tel Aviv. With Mojtaba now officially named as a target, the confrontation between the two Middle Eastern powers has entered a new, more personal, and dangerous phase.