Still alive? Iran vows to hunt and kill ‘child-killer’ Netanyahu

Tehran: Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) published a statement threatening to continue pursuing and kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “with full force” if he is alive. The statement labelled Netanyahu a “criminal and child‑killer,” reflecting deep hostility amid ongoing war tensions.

This came after the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office rejected viral online rumours that Netanyahu had been killed, stating the premier was “fine.”

Rumours and denial over Netanyahu’s condition

Speculation about Netanyahu’s death spread on social media driven by a viral video with unusual claims, but Israel’s official channels clarified that the reports were false and Netanyahu was not deceased.

The use of misleading or AI‑generated content online has fuelled confusion in the midst of the broader conflict.

Wider regional context

The Iran–Israel conflict remains highly volatile with ongoing military actions. Israel has been conducting extensive strikes against Iranian targets, and Iran has responded with missile barrages and threats to close strategic passages like the Strait of Hormuz.

Recent regional hostilities included Iranian threats to Gulf ports and renewed missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, prompting heightened alert levels.

Escalation of Iran–Israel war

The backdrop of these tensions is a broader military campaign involving joint Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including checkpoints and strategic sites. The United States and Israel have publicly stated their objectives to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and counter threats posed by its leadership.

This warning from the IRGC marks an uptick in inflammatory rhetoric that could have serious diplomatic and security implications. It underscores how misinformation and rumours around high‑profile leaders can inflame already tense geopolitical conflicts, even as governments clarify facts.