Israel envoy says new Iran leader a 'clone' of Ali Khamenei

Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh described Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “clone” of his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Backed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, who was killed in US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28. He was formally appointed by Iran’s clerical leadership body earlier this week. 

In an exclusive interview with GMA Integrated News, Kursh said Israel is watching the new Iranian leader, who was reportedly injured amid the US-Israel attacks, closely. 

“So I’m afraid that his son is a clone of his dad,” she said, adding that Israel has seen intelligence suggesting Mojtaba Khamenei had been shaped by the same ideology as his father. Kursh said Israel’s objective is not to choose Iran’s next leader but expressed hope that “the Iranian people will choose a different leader.”

The Israeli envoy’s remarks came as tensions remained high around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic global energy chokepoint where Iran’s new leadership has threatened to keep oil shipments blocked. International reports said the disruption has shaken global energy markets and further heightened fears of wider economic fallout. About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply normally passes through the strait.

Kursh said Israel would work to keep the waterway open. 

“We would do everything in our power to leave [the] strait open,” she said, adding that Iran’s military capability had already been severely degraded. 

She added, "Their navy is almost eliminated, their air force is almost eliminated, and we will continue on making sure that the Strait of Hormuz will be open.”

Despite that assessment, attacks linked to the conflict have continued. Reuters reported more vessel strikes and projectile incidents near the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, while Philippine authorities said Filipino crew members aboard recently hit vessels in the Persian Gulf were safe. The Department of Migrant Workers has also monitored the situation of affected Filipino seafarers in the area.

In his address before the United Nations on March 10, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for peace, cooperation, and shared responsibility amid worsening global tensions. Kursh said Israel supports the President’s message but also hopes that Israel’s right to defend itself will be clearly voiced in the international arena.

Kursh also faced questions on allegations against Israel involving possible violations of international law and attacks on protected civilian facilities, including hospitals. She said Israel would cooperate with an investigation, provided it is “neutral and objective,” while also criticizing what she described as the politicization of some international bodies and claiming Israel has at times been unfairly singled out.

Filipina caregiver killed in attack

The conflict has also directly affected Filipinos in Israel. Filipina caregiver Mary Ann De Vera was killed in a recent missile attack, and Israeli officials have since extended condolences to her family.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has met her widower, Bernie Galsim Lavarias, at Beit HaNassi in Jerusalem and personally conveyed his sympathies. 

Reports said Lavarias was expected to accompany De Vera’s remains on the flight to Manila.

Kursh had earlier said Israel would help De Vera’s family and assist in the repatriation of her remains.

Message to Iranians in the Philippines

Kursh also stressed that Israel’s fight is not with ordinary Iranians living abroad, including those in the Philippines, but with the ruling regime in Tehran. She said Israel believes relations between Israelis and Iranians could improve in the future once the current leadership is gone. Her remarks echoed Israel’s broader position that its campaign is directed at Iran’s regime and military network, not civilians.

GMA Integrated News reached out to the official channels of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila for comment but had yet to receive a response as of posting.

Philippines-Israel ties 

On bilateral relations, Kursh said Israel continues to coordinate with the Philippine government on areas such as disaster response and health cooperation. 

She also expressed hope that tensions would ease enough for deployment opportunities to resume, even as the Philippines maintains Alert Level 2 over Israel, which means no new deployment of workers for now. Israeli officials have also continued highlighting potential cooperation in agriculture, health technology, and other civilian sectors. —VBL, GMA Integrated News