JERUSALEM/TEHRAN:
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared that the “elimination” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is now one of Israel’s strategic military objectives, following the latest exchange of attacks between the two regional adversaries.
The dramatic escalation comes after Iranian missile strikes caused significant damage at four locations in central and southern Israel, including at Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. In response, Israeli forces carried out precision strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, raising concerns over nuclear safety and regional stability.
As tensions spiral, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he was still weighing the possibility of direct U.S. military involvement, though he has not committed to any specific course of action. “We are watching the situation very closely,” Trump said. “Our options remain open.”
Earlier, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a stern warning to the U.S., stating that any attack on Iranian soil would lead to “serious and irreparable consequences.”
The growing toll from both sides underscores the severity of the conflict. More than 240 people have now been confirmed dead in Israeli attacks on Iran, including at least 70 women and children. Iran’s retaliatory strikes have killed 24 people in Israel, according to official sources.
Israeli Military Intercepts Drone ‘From the East’
In a separate development, Israel’s military said it successfully intercepted a drone approaching from the east, over the Jordan Valley.
“Air defence systems were activated, and the drone was neutralized before it could reach a populated area,” the military stated. The incident occurred shortly after air raid sirens sounded in the region, triggering panic among residents.
The drone’s origin has not been officially confirmed, but analysts believe it may have been launched by an Iranian-backed group or Iran itself as part of the broader conflict escalation.
Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal: The Region’s Open Secret
Israel’s threat to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme comes amid growing scrutiny over its own undeclared nuclear capabilities.
Although Israel has never officially confirmed possession of nuclear weapons, it is widely believed to have a stockpile of approximately 90 nuclear warheads—with the technical capacity to develop many more. The country maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying its arsenal, a stance that has allowed it to exert considerable influence while avoiding direct international censure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long warned of the dangers posed by other nations’ nuclear ambitions, but critics point to the lack of transparency surrounding Israel’s own programme as a key diplomatic double standard.
Despite global calls for nuclear disarmament and transparency, Israel has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), unlike Iran.
