Israeli defense chief says Iran leader ‘cannot continue to exist'
Israel's defense chief on Thursday declared Iran's leader 'cannot continue to exist,' days after President Trump joined Israeli officials in threatening the ayatollah amid the escalating Middle East conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said 'without question' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cannot continue to exist as part of the war, multiple media outlets reported.
Katz made the remarks while touring the site of an Iranian missile strike in Holon, just south of Tel Aviv. In an earlier social media post reacting to Tehran's latest strikes on Israel, Katz called the Iranian leader 'cowardly' and vowed he 'will be held accountable.'
The defense chief on Thursday echoed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's characterization of Khamenei as a 'modern Hitler' intent on destroying the Israeli people.
Netanyahu in an interview with ABC News earlier in the week declined to rule out targeting the Iranian leader, saying eliminating him would 'end the conflict.'
Trump, who had reportedly cautioned Israel against targeting Iran's supreme leader, indicated the U.S. and Israel are aware of Khamenei's location. The president called him an 'easy target' but said there were no plans to take him out — 'at least right now.'
Trump added Wednesday that the United States' 'patience is wearing thin' while warning the Iranian leader not to target American soldiers or civilians.
The Iranian leader said Wednesday his country 'will never surrender' after Trump called on Iran to do just that, and without conditions.
Trump has publicly mulled the U.S. directly engaging militarily to cripple Iran's nuclear capabilities in the absence of a deal to rein in Tehran's nuclear program.
The president on Wednesday said he had given Iran an 'ultimate ultimatium' and was reviewing his options.
'I like to make a final decision one second before it's due,' he said.
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