Israel warns any Iranian leader who seeks its destruction will be eliminated
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Monday that any Iranian leader who seeks to destroy the Jewish state would be eliminated, as the funeral procession for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei got underway in Tehran.“Khamenei, whose funeral is taking place now, was eliminated by Israel because he initiated and led the plan to destroy Israel in Iran and across the region,” Katz said in a Hebrew-language statement.“The destroyer has been destroyed.Any Iranian leader who again tries to advance plans for Israel’s destruction will likewise be eliminated,” he vowed.Katz said chants of “Death to Trump” during the funeral reflected “the true nature of the ayatollahs’ regime, beyond its campaign of smiles and deception.“The powerful attack on Iran, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, removed the immediate existential threats hanging over Israel and severely damaged Iran’s strategic capabilities,” he continued.
“Israel is prepared to once again defend itself, by its own forces, at any time and against any threat.”A funeral procession for Khamenei kicked off the fourth day of week-long burial ceremonies on Monday morning.Khamenei’s remains are set to be taken through the streets of Tehran on their way to Mehrabad International Airport in the western part of the capital.The funeral cortege will last some 10 to 12 hours, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Brig.Gen.
Hassan Hassanzadeh, who is overseeing the event, told state media.Hassanzadeh said preparations for the procession began at 4 a.m.local time and that the procession would move from east to west.Regime supporters lined the streets of Tehran early Monday, many carrying red flags symbolizing revenge, the IRGC-linked Fars News Agency reported.Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies have been marked by repeated calls from Iranian officials, state media and regime supporters for the deaths of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Neta...