Israel threatens to 'eliminate' Khamenei after Iranian missile strike, US weighs intervention

The week-old air war between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically on Thursday (19 June), as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared the "elimination" of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a war goal. 

The statement came after Iranian missile attacks severely damaged four sites in central and southern Israel, including Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, reports Al Jazeera.

Israeli forces also struck Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and other nuclear targets. US President Donald Trump responded to the spiralling conflict by stating he is "still weighing his options" on military intervention.

The latest Iranian missile barrage caused significant damage across Israel. Israeli jets then launched retaliatory strikes on Iran's Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. An initial report claiming a strike on the Bushehr nuclear plant was later retracted by Israel. An Iranian diplomat dismissed the announcement as "psychological warfare."

Visiting the damaged Soroka Medical Center, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tehran's "tyrants" would pay the "full price." Defence Minister Katz echoed him, instructing the military to intensify strikes on strategic targets in Tehran with the aim of "eliminating the threat to Israel and destabilising the 'Ayatollah regime.'"

Israeli and Western officials confirmed that the goal of Israel's air campaign extends beyond disabling Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure. According to a senior regional official, Israel aims to "shatter the foundations" of Khamenei's government and force major concessions on Iran's nuclear programme, missile development, and support for militant groups, reports Reuters.

"Exhausting the regime's ability to project power and maintain internal cohesion" was described as a key strategy.

Despite the intensity of Israel's campaign, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar clarified that "regime change" in Tehran was not currently a goal of the Israeli security cabinet "for the time being."

Meanwhile, President Trump has reportedly approved strike plans but has not committed to action, reports BBC.

Tensions spiked after Khamenei publicly rejected Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender," warning on Iranian state television that "any US military intervention" would be costly and that "The Iranian nation will not surrender." Trump responded ambiguously, "I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do."

Fear and displacement have gripped both countries. In Tehran, residents jammed roads trying to flee the capital. Arash, a 33-year-old government employee, reported a neighbouring building in Shahrak-e Gharb was destroyed, killing three children and two women. Samira, an 11-year-old who fled to Urmia, expressed fear of more attacks.

Human tolls are mounting. According to Washington DC-based Human Rights Activists, Israeli strikes since last Friday have killed 585 people, including 239 civilians and 126 security personnel. Iran's health authorities reported at least 224 killed and 1,800 injured by June 16. The US-based HRANA reported 408 killed, including 92 military members, 199 civilians, and 117 unidentified by June 15.

Iran's response has included firing approximately 400 missiles at Israel, killing 24 civilians and injuring over 800, according to Israeli sources. The missile strike on Soroka Medical Center wounded 40 people, mostly hospital staff and patients. Another missile hit a residential building in Ramat Gan.

Israel's use of advanced military assets, including F-35 jets and cyberwarfare, has allowed it to strike deeply within Iran, including targets such as police and state TV headquarters in Tehran. Netanyahu's government is preparing for at least two more weeks of intense airstrikes.

Former US Middle East envoy Dennis Ross said Iran might be inching toward negotiations, citing the scale of damage to its infrastructure and loss of key personnel. Still, previous negotiations have yielded little, and US officials insist on firm guarantees before endorsing any ceasefire.

International concern is growing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have called for de-escalation and criticised Israel's actions as violations of the UN Charter. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged moderation but expressed support for Israel's right to respond.

Regional leaders worry that the collapse of Iran's Islamic government could trigger fragmentation or civil war in the ethnically diverse country. French President Emmanuel Macron warned against repeating the mistakes of Iraq and Libya.

Tensions have also affected global markets. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with oil prices climbing amid fears of disruption to this vital shipping route.

Despite extensive Israeli attacks, including reported killings of Iran's "weaponisation group" leaders and destruction of missile production sites, a domestic uprising in Iran appears unlikely. No major protests have been reported, and many Iranians have voiced anger at Israel for the ongoing assault.

US officials are preparing for a potential strike on Iran in the coming days. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet European leaders in Geneva and attend an Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul as diplomatic efforts continue.