Israel has defended the assassination of Ali Khamenei, saying the strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader complied with international law because he was directing the country’s military operations during the ongoing war.
The Israeli government said the cleric, who served as commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, was a lawful military target under the rules governing armed conflict.
The Middle East conflict escalated dramatically after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets on Saturday. One of the attacks killed Khamenei, a development that has further inflamed tensions across the region.
Israel argues the strikes were necessary to protect its national security, claiming Iran had resumed work on a nuclear weapons programme in a new underground facility.
Speaking on Thursday, Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani said the operation followed the principles of international humanitarian law.
“Under the international law of armed conflict, military commanders directing armed forces during war can constitute lawful military targets,” Shoshani wrote on X.
He said Khamenei was not only Iran’s political leader but also the final authority over the country’s military operations.
“As Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei served as commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces,” he said, adding that the cleric had directed the use of force against Israel and overseen the financing, arming and coordination of allied militant groups.
According to Israel, eliminating the Iranian leader weakened Tehran’s ability to organise attacks.
“Neutralising the regime’s commander-in-chief delivered a clear military advantage by degrading Iran’s ability to plan and coordinate attacks against Israel,” Shoshani added.
Iranian media, however, reported that several members of Khamenei’s family including his wife, son-in-law and two minor grandchildren were also killed in the strike.
Iran has retaliated with waves of missile attacks on Israeli territory and targets across the Middle East, including United States military and diplomatic facilities.
Despite the escalating violence, Israeli and US forces have continued air strikes against Iranian sites, raising fears that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war.
