Israel would have killed Iran's Supreme Leader if it was possible: Israeli Defence Minister
Tel Aviv: Israel would have assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent 12-day war if it had the chance, Defence Minister Israel Katz said, according to a report by Reuters.
“I estimate that if Khamenei had been in our sights, we would have taken him out,” Katz told Israel’s Kan public broadcaster. Reuters reported that Katz claimed Khamenei anticipated the threat, went deep underground, and cut off communication with his newly appointed commanders after Israeli strikes on June 13 killed several senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.
The war ended earlier this week following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. During the conflict, both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump had hinted at the possibility of regime change in Iran, suggesting Khamenei’s life was in danger.
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Unjustified, says Russia on US pressure on India for buying Russian crude oil
New Delhi, (PTI): The US pressure on India for its procurement of Russian crude oil is "unjustified", a senior Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.
We are confident that India-Russia energy cooperation will continue notwithstanding the external pressure, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said.
It is a "challenging" situation for India, he said at a media briefing and added that, we have "trust" in our ties with New Delhi.
In the context of Western punitive measures against Russia, Babushkin said the sanctions are hitting those who are imposing them.
To a question, he said the role of BRICS as a stabilising force will increase amid the ongoing global turbulence.
His remarks came against the backdrop of strain in India's ties with the US following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent that included an additional penalty of 25 percent for purchasing Russian crude oil.
US President Trump this month issued an executive order slapping an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.
Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.
India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
Consequently, from a mere 1.7 percent share in total oil imports in 2019-20, Russia's share increased to 35.1 percent in 2024-25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.
