Israel has warned that it will target any individual appointed to succeed Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, intensifying tensions as Tehran’s clerical authorities begin deliberations on new leadership.
According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the Israeli military issued a public warning stating that it would pursue anyone selected to replace the assassinated leader, as well as individuals involved in the process of appointing the next head of Iran’s political and religious establishment.
The threat was communicated through a statement shared on social media by the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee. The warning comes as Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s supreme leader, is reported to be convening to determine a successor following Khamenei’s death.
The late Iranian leader was killed in a joint United States–Israeli air strike slightly more than a week ago, an operation that significantly escalated the ongoing confrontation between the two sides.
Explaining the Israeli position, a correspondent speaking to Al Jazeera said the military had moved swiftly to respond to reports that the succession process in Iran had begun.
"Well, Meen, they're not only threatening to assassinate or target the person who succeeds the late Iranian Supreme Leader, but in a statement said by or shared by the Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson AK, he says that the Israeli army will also target those who choose the next Supreme Leader."
The warning coincided with emerging reports that Iran’s Assembly of Experts had begun discussions regarding the selection of a replacement.
"that came as news were surfacing about the meeting of the general or the assembly of experts that is uh uh being in the process of choosing the next supreme leader according to media reports."
Israeli officials indicated that the threats were intended to deter any attempt by Iran’s leadership structure to reorganise following the assassination.
"So the Israelis were quick to say that they are uh leaving no uh one safe when it comes to the Iranian regime trying to crack down on the successor of the lead Iranian supreme leader that the Israelis have assassinated."
Beyond the potential successor, Israeli authorities suggested that the clerical body responsible for selecting the new leader could also become a target.
"But now that they are also threatening the assembly that will choose him."
Additional developments emerged as Israeli officials claimed further strikes against senior Iranian figures. The Israeli defence minister reportedly confirmed that the military had targeted a senior official linked to the office of the Supreme Leader.
"But now that they are also threatening the assembly that will choose him. And not only that, just in the past few minutes, we've uh got the uh Israeli uh defense minister's remarks to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority saying that the Israeli military has indeed struck the military secretary of the office of the Supreme Leader."
According to Israeli authorities, the individual targeted had only recently assumed the role following earlier assassinations of Iranian officials.
"Then they say that this current person has been appointed in his job just a week ago following the assassination of major leaders in Iran."
Observers say the statement signals Israel’s intention to continue targeting senior figures within Iran’s leadership structure as the conflict escalates.
"So this is a sign that Israel is not going to back down on its promises or threats to kill the supreme leaders and whoever is in a senior position in Iran."
Meanwhile, fighting has also intensified along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed that two soldiers were killed during clashes with Hezbollah fighters.
"And just to add on a totally different front, but just now it has been announced by the Israeli military officially that two Israeli soldiers have been announced dead in battles with Hezbollah in Lebanon."
Israeli authorities released the name of one of the soldiers, while the identity of the second has not yet been made public.
"They've only disclosed the name of one of them and the other has not been announced."
Initial reports suggest the fatalities occurred when an anti-tank missile struck Israeli armoured vehicles operating in southern Lebanon.
"According to the Israeli sources, they say that anah missile hit their tanks as they were operating in southern Lebanon."