Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd during a meeting with officials, Islamic countries' ambassador to Iran and a group of people in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
Israel’s defense minister hints at possible regime change in Iran should the Islamic republic continue its attacks, comparing Ayatollah Khamenei to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) threatened Iran’s supreme leader on Tuesday, hinting that he could suffer the same fate as deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Katz held a security assessment with top military brass and Israeli intelligence officials as the war between Israel and Iran entered its fifth day.
At the conclusion of the assessment, Katz issued a statement, publicized by the Defense Ministry, emphasizing that Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, spans “all fronts,” without elaborating.
“We are striking Iran with great force on all fronts, in line with our strategic objectives,” Katz said.
Iranians living in Tehran, Katz added, should evacuate, with a special warning to those living near government facilities.
“Do not put your lives in danger or become human shields for the regime,” he said.
The Israeli defense chief confirmed that the IDF killed his Iranian counterpart, Ali Shadmani, in a strike on Monday, just days after Shadmani took office following the assassination of his predecessor.
Katz hinted that Israel’s campaign against Iran could culminate in the overthrow of the Islamist regime, making a veiled reference to Saddam Hussein.
“Remember what became of the dictator in the country neighboring Iran who took this path against Israel.”
“Our long arm will continue to reach every enemy, everywhere,” Katz continued.
Hussein, who ruled Iraq as president from 1979 to 2003, attacked Israel with more than 40 Scud missiles in 1991, after Iraq’s military was confronted by an international coalition in response to his invasion of Kuwait.
After the second Iraq invasion in 2003, Hussein was deposed, captured and placed on trial. Three years later, he was executed.
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