In a dramatic escalation, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on June 19 called for the removal of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating he "cannot continue to exist” if Israel is to achieve its war objectives. Katz made the declaration during a press briefing following the Iranian missile strike on Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheba, which resulted in dozens of injuries. He said Iran’s leader is “a dictator…who stands at the head of a state like Iran and has made the destruction of Israel his declared goal" .

Katz clarified that although Israel's official aims focus on eliminating nuclear and ballistic threats, targeting Khamenei is part of fulfilling those objectives . He referred to Khamenei as a "modern Hitler", reinforcing the justification for such a stance .

Prime Minister Netanyahu has pledged to make Tehran "pay a high price", with retaliatory strikes already targeting Iran's Arak heavy‑water reactor and Natanz facility. As this marks a stark intensification of Israel’s demands, global leaders are urgently calling for restraint amid growing fears of regional conflagration.