By Emeka Blast 
After Hospital Attack, Israel Declares Iran’s Supreme Leader ‘Must Not Continue to Exist’
- On June 19, 2025, Iran launched a missile strike on Soroka Medical Center (hospital) in Beersheba, injuring approximately 40–240 people, depending on reports.
- In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes hit Iranian nuclear sites (Arak, Bushehr, Natanz, Khondab)
⚠️ Israel’s warning
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly declared that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “cannot continue to exist” and likened him to Hitler, signaling that the IDF has been ordered to act accordingly.
- This marks a serious escalation—one of the first direct threats against a foreign head of state’s survival in this conflict.
Regional and global fallout
- Iran warns that any U.S. involvement could spark a regional war, with militias across Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen on alert.
- Major powers like China, Russia, and Europe have urged restraint and called for diplomatic efforts, including a possible Geneva meeting.
- Several countries (e.g., Japan, China, Oman) are evacuating citizens from Israel, while foreign nationals in Iran are also being moved.
🧭 Why this matters
- The explicit targeting of a nation’s supreme leader as an existential threat is a major departure from typical diplomatic/military rhetoric.
- With both sides striking civilian-related infrastructure—including a hospital and nuclear facilities—the risk of miscalculation and broader regional conflict is dramatically rising.
- The involvement (or veto) of the U.S.—notably President Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei—could be pivotal in shaping next steps.
⚡ What to watch
| Factor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Further IDF orders | Will Israel follow through on Katz’s statement? |
| U.S. position | Could escalate if Washington shifts from arm’s-length policy. |
| Diplomatic channels | Geneva talks or UN-mandated mediation may determine if things spiral further. |
| Proxy responses | Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen could act on Tehran’s behalf. |
This represents a serious turning point. Israel has escalated from targeting military and nuclear sites to threatening Iran’s top leadership—raising the stakes for the entire region and beyond.
