Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating it was insufficient to address alleged war crimes.
Speaking to members of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force in Tehran on Monday, Khamenei declared that Netanyahu deserved a "death sentence" for his actions during the Gaza war, not just prosecution by the ICC.
The ICC issued arrest warrants last week for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of using starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally targeting civilians in Gaza. While acknowledging the move, Khamenei dismissed it as inadequate, stating, “They issued an arrest warrant for him; it’s not enough.” He emphasized the need for harsher accountability, advocating for capital punishment for what he called "criminal leaders."
Iran, a longstanding adversary of Israel, provides backing to armed organizations in the region, including Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Khamenei reiterated Iran’s support for these groups, describing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a war crime rather than a military victory. He asserted that Iranian forces, while refraining from direct involvement, would ultimately "destroy the Zionist regime."
The ICC’s pre-trial arrest warrant could complicate Netanyahu’s international travel, as the court’s 124 member states are obliged to arrest him if he enters their jurisdiction. However, countries like Israel, Iran, the United States, and China are not ICC members and are not bound by its rulings. The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has called on member and non-member states alike to cooperate in upholding international law.
Tehran does not recognize Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian militant groups, terming its opposition as a resistance to "Zionist oppression." .