Netanyahu Vows Continued Strikes as Iran Threatens Retaliation
The conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issuing a direct threat against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This comes amid questions surrounding the authenticity of a recent video featuring Netanyahu, fueled by social media speculation.
IRGC Vows Pursuit of Netanyahu
The IRGC stated on its website, Sepah News, that it will continue to pursue and kill Netanyahu “with full force” if he is still alive. This declaration followed social media posts questioning the authenticity of a video released by Netanyahu on March 13, 2026, with some users alleging it was digitally altered using artificial intelligence due to an apparent anomaly in the depiction of his hands.
Recent Developments in the Conflict
The current escalation began on February 28, 2026, with a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. Reports indicate that the attacks resulted in the deaths of top Iranian nuclear scientists and inflicted significant damage on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces. Iran responded by launching attacks against Israel and US bases in Gulf countries and by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Netanyahu Reasserts Strength and Vows Further Action
Following a brief period where his whereabouts were unclear during Iran’s retaliatory attacks, Netanyahu reappeared and delivered a televised address. He claimed that Iran was “no longer the same” after nearly two weeks of bombing, asserting that the IRGC and Basij forces had suffered substantial setbacks. Netanyahu stated that Israel would continue its attacks, including targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon following a Hezbollah attack on March 2, 2026.
Focus on Iran’s Nuclear Program and Potential Regime Change
Netanyahu emphasized that the goal of the attacks on Iran was to eliminate the threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. He similarly indicated a desire to encourage a collapse of the Iranian government by supporting the Iranian people. Although acknowledging that regime change was not guaranteed, he stated that Israel was “creating optimal conditions to overthrow the regime” and was actively providing support to opposition groups. According to reports, Netanyahu has long framed the conflict with Iran as a pivotal moment, referring to it as the “War of Redemption” that began on October 7, 2023.
Ongoing Tensions and Future Outlook
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides signaling a willingness to continue military action. Netanyahu has refrained from detailing specific plans for future attacks, stating he would not provide a “life insurance policy” for leaders of terrorist organizations. The conflict’s trajectory will likely depend on the evolving dynamics between Israel, Iran, the United States, and regional actors like Hezbollah.