Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel's military offensive against Iran was "not done yet", saying the operation was degrading Iran's clerical leadership.
"Our aspiration is to bring the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny; ultimately, it depends on them. But there is no doubt that with the actions taken so far, we are breaking their bones -- and we are not done yet," Netanyahu said during a visit to the National Health Command Center on Monday night, according to a statement published Tuesday.
Israel is ahead of schedule in achieving its war goals in Iran, its ambassador to France said on Tuesday, adding that the operation aims to weaken Iran’s authorities to curb attacks beyond its borders and allow its people to shape their own future.
"When we were asked at the start of this war about its duration, we said it would last a few weeks. That hasn’t changed," Joshua Zarka told BFM TV. "We are ahead of schedule to achieve our war objectives."
Zarka, formerly Israel’s lead diplomat on Iran, said the goals extend beyond ending Iran’s nuclear program. They include weakening the government to the point that its population can "take its fate into its own hands," and ensuring Tehran can no longer mount attacks beyond its borders.
Asked about the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, Zarka said that if he follows his father Ali Khamenei's positions, he "would also be on a list of those who should be eliminated."
Israel has simultaneously launched major operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah after it struck Israeli territory. The Lebanese government has said it wants direct talks with Israel to halt the fighting, but Zarka argued that Beirut is not disarming Hezbollah.
"At this stage, I’m not aware of any decision to enter negotiations to end this war," he said. "What would end it is the disarmament of Hezbollah — and that is a choice for the Lebanese government."
