Israel warns Iran's Khamenei he risks fate like Saddam's

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday he could suffer a fate "similar to" Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was toppled and later executed.

Katz warned Khamenei risked "a fate similar to Saddam Hussein" during a meeting with Israeli military and security service commanders, according to a statement from his office.

"I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launch missiles toward Israeli civilians," Katz was quoted as saying.

"He should remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country to Iran who took the same path against Israel."

Saddam was toppled in the US-led invasion of 2003 and later captured and executed. His administration fired missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf war and was accused of running a covert nuclear weapons programme.

US President Donald Trump said he wanted a "real end" to the nuclear dispute with Iran, and indicated he may send senior American officials to meet with the officials as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth straight day.

Speaking to reporters after his departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, Trump predicted that Israel would not be easing its attacks on Iran.

"You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far," he said.

He said "I may", on the prospect of sending US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iran.

Washington has said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran, even as the military confrontation unfolds.

World leaders meeting at the Group of Seven summit called for a de-escalation of the worst-ever conflict between the regional foes, saying Iran was a source of instability and must never have a nuclear weapon while affirming Israel's right to defend itself.

Trump, who left the summit early due to the Middle East situation, said his departure had "nothing to do with" working on a deal between Israel and Iran after French President Emmanuel Macron said the US had initiated a ceasefire proposal.

"Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform late on Monday.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had hit Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate and spy agency Mossad's operational centre early on Tuesday. There was no Israeli confirmation of such attacks.

Associated Press