Netanyahu calls Khamenei ‘modern Hitler’; Erdogan hits back, says Israeli PM ‘surpassed’ Nazi dictator | World News

Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu escalated his rhetoric against Iran’s leadership, describing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “modern Hitler” and asserting that Israel is working to create the conditions for regime change in the Islamic Republic.
“Cyrus freed the Jews, and today the Jewish state might free the Persians,” Netanyahu said during an interview on Israeli television, according to the Times of Israel.
“In the end, they have to rise up themselves, but we are creating the conditions,” the prime miner continued. “And that’s why it could be consequential.”
Story continues below this ad

While Netanyahu claimed regime change in Iran is not necessarily the stated goal of “Operation Rising Lion”, he suggested the ongoing military offensive could mark a horic turning point in the region.

“We’re going to see a different Middle East, a reality we haven’t seen until now,” he said, referring to the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords and growing Arab-Israeli cooperation once the military campaign concludes.
Netanyahu also claimed that “80 per cent” of Iranians “hate” the regime led Khamenei, reiterating that Israel intends to continue targeting what it calls “regime facilities” as part of its military strategy.
“It’s either us or them,” Netanyahu declared. “The Arab world has opened up to us. And the threat we face now is Iran.”Story continues below this ad
‘Surpassed Hitler’
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a sharp counterattack, comparing Netanyahu to Hitler and accusing Israel of committing a “genocide” in Gaza.
“Netanyahu has surpassed cruel Hitler in terms of genocide,” Erdogan said during his AK Party’s group meeting in Ankara. “The images from World War II seem innocent compared to those coming out of Gaza.”
It is not the first time Erdogan has drawn parallels between Netanyahu and the Nazi dictator. However, in his latest comments, he also voiced strong support for Iran amid the escalating confrontation.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan said, according to the Times of Israel. The comment came a day after, Erdogan  branded Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”Story continues below this ad

He added, “We are closely monitoring Israel’s terror attacks on Iran. All our institutions are on high alert over potential effects on Türkiye of these attacks.”
The war of words comes as the region reels from six straight days of reciprocal strikes between Israel and Iran. On June 13, Israel launched a wave of targeted airstrikes under Operation Rising Son, reportedly killing several senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scients.
Netanyahu framed the campaign as part of a broader effort to eliminate a growing “nuclear threat” from Iran. with US President Donald Trump openly backing Israel and demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” saying that the US would have no difficulty “taking out” Iran’s Supreme Leader.