Eliminating Iran's supreme leader will end conflict: Benjamin Netanyahu, even after Trump vetoed Israel's plan

A day after US officials confirmed that President Donald Trump had vetoed Israeli plans to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the quickest way to end this conflict is to eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, media reports said.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's remark came as the Israel-Iran conflict entered the fourth day, with both sides launching missiles at each other and even targeting civilians.
"It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict," Netanyahu told ABC News in an interview on being asked about Trump vetoing the Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader.
"The 'forever war' is what Iran wants, and they're bringing us to the brink of a nuclear war," Netanyahu said, adding that "In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil."
According to reports, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his entire family have been moved to a secure location, a bunker at an undisclosed area in Iran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is shielding the Supreme Leader, and as of Monday night, he is safe and overseeing the developments and giving orders to the military.
The news of Donald Trump vetoing Israel's decision to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader was first reported by global news agency Reuters, quoting senior unnamed officials in the Trump Administration as confirming it.
The Israel-Iran conflict has spiralled into its fourth day. Israel said the attack was necessary, claiming that Iran was on the verge of gaining the capability of making a nuclear weapon - a red line for Tel Aviv and Washington, DC.
Iran also launched another barrage of ballistic missiles towards the densely populated regions of Israel, prompting the sounding of sirens in the affected areas on Monday.
Israeli forces have already attacked nuclear infrastructure in Tehran, besides striking its oil depot.
The headquarters of the Iranian state television, Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN), operated by IRIB, was hit by an Israeli strike on Monday evening, which abruptly halted its live broadcast, media reports said.
According to the Iranian media, the explosion occurred while a presenter was delivering a live on-air criticism of Israel. Moments later, she was seen leaving the broadcast.
WOW! Iran’s State TV was just bombed LIVE ON AIR by IDF aircraft.
— Cillian (@CilComLFC) June 16, 2025
This is WILD… 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/PU9GL7tVW0
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday claimed it had eliminated four high-ranking Iranian intelligence officials during a precision airstrike carried out by Israeli fighter jets in Tehran.
The deceased included the chief of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
"The IDF eliminated 4 senior Iranian intelligence officials, including the Head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization," the IDF wrote on X.
The IDF eliminated 4 senior Iranian intelligence officials, including the Head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 16, 2025
Yesterday, IAF fighter jets guided by precise IDF intelligence struck a structure in Tehran housing top Iranian intelligence officials.
The 4 officials are:… pic.twitter.com/nygndSwY6h
IDF said IAF fighter jets guided by precise intelligence struck a structure in Tehran housing top Iranian intelligence officials.
The deceased Iranian intelligence officials were identified as Mohammad Kazemi, Head of IRGC Intelligence Organization, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, his deputy, Mohsen Bakri, Head of Quds Force Intelligence and Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, his deputy.