Iranian media claims Netanyahu killed in strikes as Israeli silence fuels speculation

2026-03-10 - 08:43

A bombshell report from Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency has ignited a firestorm of speculation about the fate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he may have been killed or seriously wounded in recent retaliatory strikes. The report points to Netanyahu's complete disappearance from public view for nearly four days—a dramatic departure from his usual practice of daily video messages—as evidence that something significant has occurred. Silence and Security Measures Sources cited by Iranian media note that all statements attributed to Netanyahu since his disappearance have been issued only in written form, with no accompanying video or photographic confirmation. The area around the Prime Minister's residence has reportedly been placed under extraordinary security measures, though no official explanation has been provided. The Tasnim report further alleges that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu's brother Iddo may also have been killed, claims that remain entirely unconfirmed. Canceled US Visit Deepens Mystery Adding to the intrigue, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner abruptly canceled a planned visit to Israel scheduled for Tuesday . The trip was intended for high-level talks on the ongoing war with Iran, which has now killed more than 1,200 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . Israeli media reported the cancellation without explanation, and neither US nor Israeli officials have commented on the reason . Some sources suggest possible disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv over the scope of military operations against Iranian oil installations . Official Silence Fuels Speculation Most striking is the complete absence of any denial from Israeli authorities or Netanyahu's office regarding the Iranian claims. The official silence, combined with the canceled US visit and extraordinary security measures, has allowed speculation to flourish across international media. The conflict that began February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes has now expanded to include Hezbollah engagements on Israel's northern border and Houthi-related tensions in Yemen, with total casualties exceeding 2,000 and hundreds of thousands displaced .