Israeli Democrat leader says it was a ‘mistake’ for Israeli military to assassinate Ali Khamenei

According to a report by the Times of Israel on Friday October 9, 2026, Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s Democrats party, has criticised the decision to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing it as a strategic mistake that did not advance Israel’s national interests.

Speaking during an interview at an event in Rishon Lezion, Golan said the killing of Khamenei at the beginning of the US-Israeli war against Iran in February had ultimately left Israel in a worse position.

“I think, unequivocally, the elimination of Khamenei the father was a mistake,” Golan said.

He explained that his objection was not based on sympathy for the Iranian leader, but on whether the assassination benefited Israel. Khamenei was 86 and had ruled Iran for decades, Golan noted, arguing that the departure of a long-serving leader could create strategic advantages.

Instead, the killing and the subsequent appointment of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor had left Iran under the leadership of figures Golan considers more extreme and violent.

The opposition leader also questioned the broader outcome of the war, arguing that Israel had failed to achieve its central political objective.

He blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for setting an unrealistic goal of overthrowing Iran’s government, which was never accomplished. In Golan’s assessment, the failure to remove the Iranian regime, combined with the consequences of Khamenei’s assassination, has left Israel in a less favourable position than before the conflict.

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