International-News

Israel-Iran, Netanyahu includes Khamenei among targets; Trump proposes Putin as mediator

Netanyahu does not rule out Ayatollah Khamenei among Israeli targets and envisages a possible regime change in Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran responds with new missile attacks and Trump offers himself as mediator, involving Putin, while the conflict continues to escalate

Israel continues with a series of air strikes in Iran, aimed at strategic military and industrial infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not rule out Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from the list of targets, speculating that a regime change in the country could be a possible side effect. Tehran responds with ballistic missile launches towards Israeli territory, promising a “devastating response”.

Donald Trump, back in the international spotlight, threatens direct intervention if Iran attacks the United States and bets on a quick end to the conflict. On the eve of the G7 summit, he also proposes Vladimir Putin as a possible mediator between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

In the four days since the clashes began, Israel has carried out targeted raids on oil facilities, weapons factories and structures belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Quds Force and the Iranian army. According to official sources in Tehran, there have been at least 224 casualties among the Iranian population.

Netanyahu, in an interview with Fox News, confirmed the elimination of the head of intelligence for the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Kazemi, and his deputy Hassan Mohaqeq in a raid in Tehran. He also stated that Iran was working on a secret plan to use uranium for military purposes, close to testing, and that the goal is to stop this threat.

Regarding the possibility of killing Khamenei, the Israeli prime minister replied: “There are many false reports about conversations that never took place. We do what is necessary”. While denying that the goal is regime change, he admitted that it could be a side effect, given the fragility of the Iranian regime.

According to Iran International sources, Khamenei was transferred to a bunker in north-eastern Tehran, along with his family, including his son Mojtaba, following the first Israeli attacks on the capital.

Tehran continued to launch ballistic missiles towards Israel, with alarms sounding in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and in the evening towards Haifa and the south of the country. Iranian military spokesman Reza Sayyad said that the Iranians’ “devastating response” would involve “all occupied territories”, describing Israel as “no longer habitable” in the future.

At the moment, diplomacy appears to be absent: Iran has informed Oman and Qatar that it does not want to negotiate on its nuclear programme while under attack.

Donald Trump expressed optimism about a possible imminent peace between Iran and Israel, thanks to his intervention, comparing it to the agreement between India and Pakistan that he facilitated. However, he also admitted that the United States could be involved in the conflict.

Finally, Putin’s proposal as mediator does not meet with unanimous approval. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he does not believe Russia can take on this role, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has described the situation as very fluid and emphasised Israel’s military superiority, while pointing out that the conflict could last for days or weeks.

THE LATEST NEWS