Mojtaba Khamenei off 'Israel' target list, likened to Arafat: Hebrew media

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'Israel' avoids targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, likening him to Yasser Arafat.
US pressures keep certain Iranian figures intact ahead of potential ceasefire agreements.

'Israel' reportedly has no plans to target Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, citing US guidance to preserve key Iranian figures for potential political legitimacy amid ceasefire negotiations, according to Maariv.

US Influence on Targeting Decisions

The 'Israeli' newspaper says Washington has signaled that prominent Iranian leaders, including Khamenei, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, should remain untouched. US President Donald Trump told the New York Post that former leaders of the Iranian regime “have been eliminated”, while current officials are now under consideration for engagement.

'Israeli' assessments indicate the US views the preservation of one authoritative figure in Iran as essential to sign and enforce any future agreement before the Iranian public and the Revolutionary Guard.

Concealed Appearance, Symbolic Role

Sources in 'Israel' suggest Khamenei’s limited public presence may be deliberate, possibly due to health issues or facial injuries, although Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei insists the Supreme Leader is fully healthy and delays in public appearances are due to wartime conditions.

'Israel' analysts compare Khamenei’s current position to that of Yasser Arafat before the Oslo Accords, describing him as a “wounded, weakened leader” yet the sole authority able to legitimize agreements.

Internal Divisions in Iran

Maariv reports 'Israel' sees Iran as politically fractured, with the pragmatic political faction, president, foreign minister, and other leaders, clashing with the Revolutionary Guard, which resists compromise. The Guard aims to demonstrate Iran’s resilience and ability to affect the global economy, while also signaling skepticism over US intentions.

Rising pressure on Iran’s pragmatic faction reflects significant damage to the weapons and steel industries, considered by 'Israel' to be a strategic blow beyond tactical military strikes. Meanwhile, Trump celebrated the targeting of Iran’s largest bridge on Truth Social, warning of harsher actions unless Tehran negotiates promptly.