Iranian propaganda machinery on social media had claimed that they avenged the murder of their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by taking out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This narrative gained some traction as Netanyahu was missing from action for some time, unlike his ally Donald Trump, who appeared before cameras on a regular basis. In parallel, there were theories that Netanyahu had survived Iranian strikes but needed medical attention for his injuries—forcing him to take a break from media briefings. Yet others claimed that he flew to the safety of Germany when Iranian ballistic missiles started humming over the Tel Aviv skies.
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Amidst the pro-Iranian rumour-mongers claiming to have assassinated the Israeli PM, the man returned before the world in the flesh. Netanyahu on Thursday demanded the Lebanese government “take your fate into your own hands” and disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah group; otherwise, Israel would have to do it.
Factoring in security concerns, local media claimed he addressed the press virtually. On Zoom, he reportedly reiterated that it was necessary for the US–Israeli coalition to strike Iran, as they were getting closer to developing nuclear weapons.
Speaking about removing the Mullahs from power in Tehran, Netanyahu said his government is making things easier for the people to topple the theocratic authoritarians. However, he was not certain if the people were up to the challenge, as ultimately, the regime should be ousted from within the country's borders.
“We will create optimal conditions to do this, including airstrikes as we did yesterday, as we are doing these days, to try to give [the Iranian people] the space needed to take to the streets. We are delivering crushing blows to the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij—their street forces, their checkpoints—and more is yet to come,” the Times of Israel quoted him as saying.
“I do not deny it: I cannot say for certain that the Iranian people will bring down the regime,” Netanyahu reportedly added.