Israel Defends Khamenei Killing as Lawful Under International Law

Military spokesman says supreme leader was legitimate target as commander-in-chief; Iranian officials among family members also killed in strike

Tel Aviv/Tehran — Israel has formally declared that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei complied with international laws of armed conflict, describing him as the legitimate target due to his role as commander-in-chief of Iranian military forces.

The strike, part of coordinated US-Israeli operations that began Saturday, also killed Khamenei’s wife, son-in-law, and two minor grandchildren, Iranian media have reported. The ayatollah’s death has triggered waves of Iranian missile attacks against Israel and US targets across the region.

Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani asserted Thursday on social media platform X that the operation “complied with international law,” citing legal provisions that permit targeting military commanders directing armed forces during active conflict.

“Under the international law of armed conflict, military commanders directing armed forces during war can constitute lawful military targets,” Shoshani stated. “As Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei served as commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces.”

Shoshani characterised Khamenei as “the final decision-maker on Iran’s military operations,” alleging that during the ongoing conflict, “he directed the use of force against Israel and oversaw the funding, arming, and coordination of the regime’s terror proxies.”

“Neutralising the regime’s Commander-in-Chief delivered a clear military advantage by degrading Iran’s ability to plan and coordinate attacks against Israel,” he added.

The Middle East conflict, which erupted following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has rapidly escalated. Israel maintains the operations were essential to safeguard national security, citing Iran’s alleged reconstitution of its nuclear weapons programme in a new underground facility.

Iran has responded with sustained missile barrages against Israeli territory and attacks on US military and diplomatic installations throughout the region. Both Israel and the United States continue to conduct strikes on Iranian targets as hostilities show no sign of abating.