Netanyahu threatens Iran new leader, says government collapse uncertain

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a subtle warning on Thursday regarding Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. He suggested that Israel might target him, though he also recognized that the joint air operations with the U.S. might not topple Tehran’s clerical regime. During his first press conference since the war began, Netanyahu stated that Iran has changed significantly after nearly two weeks of attacks. He noted that Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps and Basij paramilitary unit have been weakened. Netanyahu pledged to continue strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon after the Iran-supported group retaliated on March 2 for Israel’s killing of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei’s father, at the war’s onset. While standing between two Israeli flags and addressing questions via video link, he was asked about possible actions against Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. Netanyahu responded, “I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organization ... I don’t intend to provide an exact report here about what we are planning or what we are going to do.” As he spoke, sirens warning of incoming missiles from Iran sounded throughout much of central Israel. Israel claims that its military campaign aims to eliminate what it sees as a significant threat from Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Additionally, it hopes to inspire Iranians to rise up against their government. Although many Iranians desire change and some celebrated the death of Ali Khamenei—whose forces killed thousands of anti-government protesters recently—there have been no protests since the war began. When asked if Israel was supplying arms to those opposing Iran's leaders and whether the government might not collapse, Netanyahu said that even if it doesn’t fall, it would still be weak.