Operation “Am Kalavi”: Israel explains why Khamenei was not targeted
The Defense Minister said that during twelve days of strikes on Iran, the IDF never located the Supreme Leader — otherwise, an attack would have followed immediately.
Photo: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, CC BY 2.0
ISRAEL. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on June 28 in an interview with Channel 13, according to The Times of Israel, that during the twelve-day “Am Kalavi” operation, the Israeli army did not obtain intelligence that would have enabled a strike on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to the minister, during this period the IDF Air Force destroyed missile factories, launchers, and air defense systems around Tehran, disabled key nuclear infrastructure, and eliminated several scientists and IRGC commanders.
“Had Khamenei been within strike range, we would have acted immediately,” Katz emphasized, calling the operation “a showcase of the new post-October 7 policy.”
He added that he had already instructed the army to prepare a plan for continued pressure on Iran, including maintaining Israeli air superiority and conducting preemptive strikes on missile and nuclear facilities.
The minister warned Tehran that “immunity is over” and any support for terrorism will be met with force.
Earlier, Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to halt hostilities, ending a 12-day confrontation.