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3. Netanyahu Says U.S.-Israeli Attack on Iran Will Last 'as Long as Necessary'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that “there are signs” that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in the latest wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran, marking one of the most dramatic claims since the escalation began.

In a televised address, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had destroyed what he described as Khamenei’s headquarters in Tehran and eliminated a significant number of senior Iranian officials and Revolutionary Guard commanders. He also claimed that key figures involved in Iran’s nuclear program were killed in the operation.

“There are signs that Khamenei was killed during the strikes,” Netanyahu said, without providing evidence or official confirmation.

He further asserted that Israel had “neutralized officials responsible for the Iranian nuclear program” and vowed that the military campaign would continue “for as long as necessary.”

Call for Uprising in Iran

In a direct appeal to the Iranian public, Netanyahu urged citizens to take to the streets and overthrow the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

“We call on the Iranian people to complete the mission,” he said. “Do not miss this opportunity.”

He described the ongoing operation as an effort to dismantle what he called an existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

No Confirmation from Tehran

Iranian authorities have not confirmed Netanyahu’s claims regarding Khamenei. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told U.S. media that Khamenei was alive “as far as I know,” though Iranian officials have provided limited public clarification amid the ongoing strikes.

The situation remains fluid, with independent verification of leadership casualties not yet available.

Netanyahu’s remarks signal a further escalation in rhetoric, suggesting that Israel’s military objectives may extend beyond military infrastructure to the top tier of Iran’s political and security leadership.