Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the world's top court should have sentenced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to death for war crimes, ramping up his rhetoric against Iran's arch-foe.
“Issuing an arrest warrant is not enough; a death sentence for Netanyahu should be issued,” Khamenei said in a speech to members of the Basij militia.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military leader who is presumed dead.
These warrants allege war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the Gaza conflict triggered by Hamas’s attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. However, Khamenei demanded harsher penalties for Israeli officials, accusing them of criminality in their military operations against Gaza and Lebanon.
The Gaza conflict led to direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran this year, and can still turn into a more serious war in the region. Iran also faces more potential sanctions and pressure by the incoming Trump administration.
Khamenei’s demand comes as international legal bodies, including the ICC, stand firmly opposed to capital punishment. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Iran for its extensive use of the death penalty, labeling it a violation of international norms.
This contradiction underscores the disparity between Khamenei’s calls for justice abroad and the practices of his system at home, where capital punishment is frequently employed against political dissidents and protesters.
Khamenei justified his remarks by referencing Israel’s military response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, including 46 Americans, and led to the abduction of nearly 250 hostages.
Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, receives significant support from Tehran.
Khamenei’s criticism of Israel comes as the Islamic Republic has cracked down on domestic dissent. Groups like Iran Human Rights have documented systematic killings and repression since protests erupted in 2022. Hundreds of protesters have been killed, and thousands more injured or imprisoned, with these actions widely condemned by international human rights organizations.
Khamenei also hailed the growth of the so-called Resistance Front, a term used by Iranian officials to describe Tehran-backed armed groups in the region, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and other militias.
“Today, the Resistance Front has grown significantly; tomorrow, this growth will multiply,” Khamenei said, emphasizing his commitment to supporting anti-Israel factions despite international criticism.
