Katz says Khamenei’s death should serve as warning to Iran

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a blunt warning to Iran during the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declaring that the man who “planned and led Iran’s campaign to destroy Israel” had been eliminated—and that any future Iranian leader who follows the same path “will meet the same fate.”

Katz said chants of “Death to Trump” during Khamenei’s funeral exposed the Iranian regime’s true face, accusing Tehran of hiding behind “diplomacy, suits, and fake smiles” while continuing to promote terrorism and calls for Israel’s destruction.

He also hailed the joint US-Israeli military campaign led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, saying it removed the immediate existential threat facing Israel and inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military and strategic capabilities.

“Israel is prepared to defend itself, by itself, at any time and against any threat,” Katz said.