Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran has issued a strong warning against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowing to “pursue and kill” him if he is alive. The statement came on Sunday as Iran continued its strikes on Israel on the 16th day of the ongoing conflict.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released a statement targeting Netanyahu, accusing him of crimes against civilians. “If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and eliminate him with full force,” the statement said. The remarks surfaced alongside growing speculation on social media about Netanyahu’s whereabouts, as he has reportedly not appeared publicly for several days.
Questions intensified after a video released on March 12 showed Netanyahu addressing the media during his first press conference since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Some online users claimed the footage might have been manipulated using artificial intelligence, pointing to what appeared to be an unusual visual detail in the video.
During the press conference, the 76-year-old Israeli leader defended Israel’s military actions and hinted at efforts to weaken Iran’s ruling system. Speaking in Hebrew, Netanyahu said Israel was working to create conditions that could eventually lead to the collapse of the Iranian regime, though he added that such a change would ultimately have to come from within Iran itself.
The speculation gained further traction after American political commentator Candace Owens questioned Netanyahu’s absence on social media, asking, “Where’s Bibi?” — using the prime minister’s well-known nickname. She also alleged that AI-generated videos might be circulating online and claimed there was rising concern in Washington.
However, Netanyahu’s office has dismissed rumours of his death as false. Responding to media queries, his office stated that the reports were “fake news” and confirmed that the Israeli prime minister is “fine.”
Despite the denial, questions continue to circulate online. Some users have also pointed out that Netanyahu’s son, Yair Netanyahu — usually active on social media — has not posted on his X account since March 9, fueling further speculation.
The Middle East conflict intensified after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran last month. The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a wider war across the region.
Since then, Iran has retaliated by targeting Israel and US military bases in several Gulf countries. In response, Israeli and American forces have continued strikes on Iranian military sites. According to reports, the conflict has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, most of them in Iran.
