Iran’s New Leader Avoiding Public Appearance, Says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday claimed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, cannot appear publicly after Tehran released its first official statement in his name through a television broadcast.

Speaking at a televised press conference, Netanyahu said the Iranian leader had not addressed the public directly, noting that the statement attributed to him was read by a television presenter rather than delivered by Khamenei himself.

“We eliminated the old tyrant, and the new tyrant, the puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, can’t show his face in public,” Netanyahu said during the briefing.

The remarks came after Iranian state media aired a message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, marking the first statement issued under his name since assuming the position of supreme leader.

Netanyahu used the occasion to criticise Iran’s leadership, accusing Khamenei of being controlled by the country’s powerful security establishment, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iranian authorities have not publicly addressed the Israeli leader’s remarks.

The development adds to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, whose rivalry has intensified in recent years over regional security issues and military confrontations.