Jerusalem, October 2026 : Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s left-wing Democrats party, has described the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the beginning of the US-Israeli war against Iran in February as a “mistake”, arguing that his death has left Tehran under the influence of more hardline and aggressive figures.
Speaking at an event in Rishon Lezion on Friday, Golan said the elimination of the 86-year-old Iranian leader had not served Israel’s national interests, despite his criticism of Khamenei’s record.
“I think, unequivocally, the elimination of Khamenei the father was a mistake,” Golan said.
He clarified that his assessment was not based on sympathy for the late Iranian leader. “Not because he didn’t deserve to die, only because it doesn’t serve the interests of the State of Israel,” he said, adding that an elderly leader who had held power for decades could offer a degree of predictability.
According to Golan, Khamenei’s death has resulted in a more dangerous political situation for Israel, with Tehran now influenced by individuals he described as more extreme and violent.
Golan Questions Mojtaba Khamenei’s Leadership
Khamenei, who led Iran for decades, was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on his leadership compound in Tehran on February 28, the opening day of the conflict, according to the supplied report. Several senior Iranian officials were also killed in the strike.
He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has largely remained out of public view since assuming the position and is reported to have sustained serious injuries in the attack that killed his father.
Golan, a former deputy chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said he understood that the younger Khamenei was under the influence of Iran’s strategic security establishment, which he described as “ultra-extremist”.
A report published by The New York Times in July, as cited in the supplied account, said US intelligence assessments indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei was considerably more inclined than his father to pursue nuclear weapons development. The report also noted that the assessment was based on previously collected intelligence rather than new information gathered after the war began or following Mojtaba’s elevation to supreme leader.
The claims have added to concerns in Israel over the direction of Iran’s leadership and its future security and nuclear policies.
Golan Blames Netanyahu for Strategic Setback
Golan also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, arguing that the government had set an unrealistic objective by seeking to topple Iran’s leadership without establishing a diplomatic strategy for the period after the conflict.
He said Israel had been at the height of its achievements against Iran following Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, but argued that the situation had deteriorated after the launch of Operation Roaring Lion in February.
According to Golan, Netanyahu’s political considerations and confidence in the military campaign had resulted in the loss of an important strategic opportunity.
In a post on X, Golan accused the prime minister of making promises to the United States about bringing down the Iranian government without developing a diplomatic plan to ensure Israel’s security afterwards.
“Instead of leading a regional diplomatic move that would ensure Israel’s security, he sold illusions to the Americans about toppling the Iranian regime, without a diplomatic strategy to secure the day after,” Golan wrote.
He further argued that the February operation had worsened Israel’s strategic position rather than improving it, holding Netanyahu responsible for setting the objectives, managing the campaign and its outcomes.
Security and Political Debate Intensifies
The remarks highlight differences within Israel’s political establishment over the objectives and consequences of the war with Iran. While the Israeli government pursued military action against Tehran, Golan questioned whether the killing of the supreme leader and the stated goal of regime change had delivered lasting security benefits.
The debate also comes as Israel approaches the end-of-month election referenced in the report. Polls cited in the supplied account have projected eight to nine seats for Golan’s Democrats party.
Golan’s comments place the consequences of the conflict, the future of Iran’s leadership and Netanyahu’s strategy at the centre of Israel’s domestic political debate, with questions remaining over whether military operations have strengthened the country’s long-term security position.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
