Israeli Prime Minister Says Regime Collapse in Tehran Is Uncertain but Vows to Keep Striking.
“No life insurance policies.” Netanyahu issues a stark warning to Iran’s new supreme leader — but concedes regime collapse is far from guaranteed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday issued a veiled threat against Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, while acknowledging that Israel’s joint air campaign with the United States may not ultimately bring down Tehran’s clerical government.
In his first press conference since the war began nearly two weeks ago, Netanyahu said Iran was “no longer the same” after sustained bombardment that he claimed had severely weakened the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary force.
Standing between two Israeli flags and answering questions via video link as air-raid sirens sounded across central Israel, Netanyahu was asked what action Israel might take against Mojtaba Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.
“I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organization,” Netanyahu said, declining to elaborate on operational plans. “I don’t intend to provide an exact report here about what we are planning or what we are going to do.”
Israel has framed its assault on Iran as a campaign to eliminate what it describes as an existential threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Israeli officials have also spoken openly about encouraging internal unrest that could destabilize or topple Iran’s leadership.
Yet Netanyahu conceded that such an outcome is uncertain.
“We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,” he said. “But I won’t deny that I can’t tell you with all certainty that the people of Iran will topple the regime — a regime is toppled from the inside.”
While some Iranians reportedly celebrated the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict, there have been no visible signs of sustained anti-government protests since the war began.
Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Hezbollah in Lebanon after the Iran-backed group opened fire earlier this month in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Ali Khamenei. He maintained that even if Tehran’s government survives, it will emerge significantly weakened.
The remarks underscore the tension at the heart of Israel’s strategy: military dominance may degrade Iran’s capabilities, but political collapse remains beyond guaranteed reach.
For now, Israel appears committed to maintaining pressure — even as the outcome in Tehran remains uncertain.
