Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking during the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said that any Iranian leader who tries to advance a plan to destroy Israel will be eliminated. He also said the 'Death to Trump' chants at the funeral reveal the regime's true nature.
Defense Minister Israel Katz escalated his rhetoric against Tehran Monday, speaking at the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the capital. Katz warned that any Iranian leader who tries to advance a plan to destroy Israel 'will be eliminated,' and pointed to the 'Death to Trump' chants heard at the funeral as revealing the regime's true nature. Katz's remarks were reported by Israel's Channel 14.
The funeral, which passed through its main procession earlier Monday, has drawn large crowds amid a multi-day event. The Zioneer first reported Katz's threat at 08:54 Jerusalem, noting that he had initially described Khamenei as 'the destroyer who was destroyed' and warned future leaders. By the 09:25 iteration, Katz added that 'Death to Trump' chants at the funeral were a 'disgrace' and that Israel remains ready to defend itself independently. The Associated Press and other outlets have carried similar characterizations of his remarks.
As The Zioneer reported over the weekend, the funeral has featured repeated belligerent rhetoric from Iranian figures, including the IRGC commander vowing to 'wipe out the Zionists' (Fri 17:45 Jerusalem) and the funeral emcee threatening to murder President Trump (Sun 09:15 Jerusalem). The larger context includes Iran's Intelligence Ministry vowing revenge, and a broadcast by Iran's state-linked media showing 'Death to America' chants.
7 developments
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