Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces are now conducting intensified strikes deep into the heart of Tehran, vowing to escalate operations even further in the coming days as part of the ongoing joint US-Israel campaign against Iran’s regime.
In a strong public statement amid the February 28–March 1, 2026 escalation, Netanyahu stated: “Our forces are now striking deep into the heart of Tehran with increasing force and will intensify even more in the coming days.”
He also stated, “We have eliminated the tyrant Khamenei and dozens of senior officials of the repressive regime.”
Netanyahu’s remarks build on earlier announcements where he described destroying Khamenei’s compound in Tehran during the opening strikes, citing “many signs” that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was no longer alive. Iranian state media later confirmed Khamenei’s death, leading to 40 days of mourning, an interim leadership council (including President Masoud Pezeshkian), and vows of revenge. Netanyahu framed the operations as removing an “existential threat,” eliminating IRGC commanders, nuclear program figures, and regime enforcers while creating conditions for Iranians to overthrow the “terrorist regime.”