Jerusalem/Tehran on June 17, 2025.
On Tuesday, amid mounting tensions, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a blunt warning: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could follow Saddam Hussein into exile if Tehran continues its missile and drone attacks on Israeli civilians.
Katz stressed during a meeting of military and security commanders that Khamenei should remember what happened to another dictator who took similar action against Israel – see, for instance, this report by The Sun (UK). For additional reading and images visit The Times UK (UK) as well as NDTv (Nigeria).
These remarks drew strong comparisons between them and Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator who was overthrown and executed following a U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Warning of Grave Threat within Broader Conflict
The warning comes amid a significant escalation of Iran-Israel tensions, now entering their fifth day. Under “Operation Rising Lion,” Israeli strikes have targeted Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure – such as Natanz enrichment facility and Revolutionary Guard command centers (Natanz enrichment facility and Revolutionary Guard Command Centers respectively), whilst hitting sites such as NDTV.com +6, The Times UK +6, Wikipedia.org).
Iran responded with several missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli intelligence and military sites, though most were intercepted by air defense systems (en.wikipedia.org/page/58525 theguardian.com/57525 thesun.co.uk/58525 en.wikipedia/page/58525 thesun/page/58525 ).
Context of Katz’s Warning
Katz’s threat appears part of an overall Israeli strategy to deter further Iranian aggression. The comparison to Saddam Hussein emphasizes the severity of his message; Saddam led Iraq into 1991 Gulf War before firing missiles on Israel before his eventual fall (The Sun, Money Control etc). For more details please read Timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Katz indicated that Israel and possibly the U.S. might take more aggressive steps against regime targets if current attacks persist.
International Reactions and Risks List
The international community expressed alarm. G7 leaders reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense but encouraged restraint, while U.S. President Trump, who left early from G7 summit early, called for an immediate “end” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions (this can also be found at iranintl.com; M.economictimes.com/m.economisttimes reuters.com +7 and The Guardian +3)
Iran, on the other hand, dismissed Israeli warnings as psychological warfare and has shown no intention to cease military campaigns against it.
Crisis May Escalate Further Katz’s comments raise concerns over any plans targeting Iranian leadership. According to reports by Reuters, Israel considered conducting an operation against Khamenei without U.S. permission at one time (Egyptian Independent.com/+1 and Moneycontrol.com respectively).
Now, following widespread Israeli airstrikes alleged to have targeted key Iranian generals and nuclear scientists, such threats could quickly escalate into full-scale conflict.
Human Toll Rising
Casualties continue to mount. Iranian sources report over 224 fatalities, including top military commanders; Israel reports several dozen civilian casualties as retaliatory strikes breach its airspace and initiate counterstrike retaliatory strikes of their own; The Guardian.com. +15, Wikipedia +15 and Sun +15 are reporting similar figures as Israeli attacks continue against Iranian targets in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza Strip
Infrastructure on both sides, from nuclear facilities to residential neighborhoods, has been affected by ongoing exchanges.
As both nations trade blows, Katz’s reference to Saddam Hussein’s fate signals an alarming shift: potential leadership targeting instead of just tactical responses. Now it remains to be seen if international diplomatic pressure or mutual deterrence can prevent wider war – or whether threats against Iran’s top leader could cross that critical threshold and provoke more violent responses.