Netanyahu says Israel ‘crushing’ Iran and Hezbollah; issues veiled threat to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (March 12, 2026) the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign was “crushing” Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and called for Iranians to rise up and overthrow the Islamic republic.

Mr. Netanyahu spoke soon after the new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s first statement, in which he vowed to avenge the Iranians killed in the war so far. “We are crushing Iran and Hezbollah,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a televised media briefing.

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In wide-ranging comments on the war, Mr. Netanyahu said he was seeking to use the conflict to oust the clerical leadership in Tehran.

“I have added a third objective, which is to create, for the Iranian people, the conditions to bring down this regime,” Mr. Netanyahu said.

The other two goals remained preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities, he said.

The Israeli leader used his remarks to demand that Beirut rein in Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has joined Iran in launching missile strikes on Israel. “I told the Lebanese government a few days ago — you are playing with fire if you continue allowing Hezbollah to operate, in violation of your commitment to disarm it,” he said.

“The time has come for you to do so. Now, if you do not do so, it is clear that we will do so,” he continued.

Hezbollah on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said it carried out a number of attacks against Israel, including on an air defence system near the town of Caesarea, home to Mr. Netanyahu’s private residence.

Israel has threatened to target Lebanese government infrastructure if the attacks by Hezbollah persist.

Mr. Netanyahu had a personal message for Iran’s new leader, saying: “We eliminated the old tyrant, and the new tyrant, the puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, can’t show his face in public.”

Mr. Khamenei had earlier issued a first statement in his name that was read out by a TV presenter.