‘Khamenei’s killing was a mistake’: Israeli opposition leader

Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan has stated that the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran was a "mistake". Golan told Al Jazeera that the removal of Khamenei, the "father", was not justified, even though he deserved to die, because it did not serve Israel's interests.

Golan also dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ambition to overthrow the Iranian regime as "unrealistic". Khamenei, aged 86, was killed in an airstrike targeting his leadership compound in Tehran on February 28, coinciding with the war's commencement. Alongside Khamenei, several high-ranking Iranian officials were also slain.

The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the airstrike, which effectively ended Khamenei's rule over Iran for over three decades. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeded him. Mojtaba is perceived to be less cautious than his father and has largely stayed out of the public eye, primarily communicating through written statements.

Upon inheriting the leadership, Mojtaba has largely maintained a low profile, sharing information mainly through written communications instead of public appearances. During his rule, Khamenei held significant control over Iran's armed forces, domestic repression, and regional proxy networks. In 2003, he issued a fatwa prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons in Iran, arguing that they contradicted Islamic principles.