Israeli Defense Minister Katz: Khamenei assassination was planned in November

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made statements to the Israeli press regarding the attacks launched by his country and the US against Iran, as well as the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Stating that a select group of officials held a "very narrow meeting" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2025, Katz said that the potential assassination plan for Iran's recently killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was discussed at this meeting. Expressing that they initially considered carrying out the attack on Khamenei in June 2026, Katz noted that they did not immediately share these plans with the US, "under the assumption that they might have to carry out the assassination on their own."

"Protests caused concern"

Noting that a "kind of dialogue" process began between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after anti-government protests erupted in Iran at the end of December, Katz emphasized that this development changed the plans. Arguing that the protests caused security concerns within the Israeli administration, Katz said, "This surprised everyone. This chaos not only presented an opportunity. There were also serious concerns at the time that the regime might launch a preemptive missile strike on Israel and American forces in the region due to the pressure caused by the protests."

"Regime change was put on the agenda"

Stating that the developments moved the timeline for a possible attack on Iran forward, Katz reported that discussions began between the US and Israel at that time regarding toppling the regime. Expressing that the two sides cooperated in determining the objectives of an operation against Iran, Katz said they began talking about "offering the Iranian people an opportunity to topple the regime" and acted in line with this goal. Katz stated that from that moment on, they moved to a "joint planning and then joint operational planning process."

Katz praises Netanyahu

Arguing that, contrary to some claims, neither Israel nor the US encouraged the other to attack Iran, Katz asserted that both countries made their decisions independently in light of the security threat posed by Iran. Praising Netanyahu for his determination, Katz said, "The only person, the only leader in the world who could have such cooperation with President Trump is Benjamin Netanyahu."

"I hope it results in the overthrow of the regime"

Stating that Israel largely dismantled Iran's nuclear program during the June 2025 attacks, Katz claimed that they are now taking action to prevent attempts to rebuild such programs. Noting that the current attacks on Iran are "much more extensive" than the previous ones and that Israel is using "three times more force" than it did then, Katz said, "I hope this results in the Iranian people overthrowing the regime."

"The goal is to eliminate Iran's capabilities"

When asked whether the war would continue until the regime is "completely changed," Katz replied, "That depends on the Iranian people." Regarding the objective of the attacks on Iran, Katz commented, "The goal is to eliminate Iran's ability to return to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, its capacity to assist its proxies in the region, and its ability to continue operations aimed at destroying Israel. The issue of the regime's collapse and its replacement is something we expect the Iranian people to carry out and something we want to support."

News Source: 12punto