Netanyahu Says Israel Must Overthrow Iranian Regime – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly called for the overthrow of the Iranian regime, as preparations reportedly continue for another round of American and Israeli military strikes against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections. The Israeli prime minister has reportedly ordered the military and intelligence services to work toward a plan for regime change in Tehran, arguing that removing the leadership of the regime is the only way to permanently end the country’s nuclear threat and prevent it from rebuilding or expanding its military capabilities.
Many experts would consider such language a little strange, considering the challenges the military campaigns of recent months have failed to end Iran’s regime, at least so far.
Israel Merkava Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
An Israeli Defense Forces Merkava Mark 4 tank fires a 120mm cannon shell. Creative Commons Photo.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 21, Netanyahu said that President Donald Trump also supports his objectives and told him that Washington is preparing to “finish the job” alongside Israel.
The comments come as President Trump continues to threaten to launch another major offensive against Iran, even hinting to some reporters that he could still order strikes before the November 3 midterms. Trump also suggested on Friday, October 23, that American forces could take control of the entire country and seize its oil reserves if necessary.
As the midterms approach, both Iran and the United States are pushing increasingly aggressive rhetoric, with Iranian military officials warning that Iran could attack undersea cables.
Netanyahu Orders Israeli Military to Overthrow Iranian Government
Per reports, including in The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu made the threat during a graduation ceremony for Israeli military officers on Wednesday.
“There is only one way to remove this threat once and for all: overthrow the regime in Iran. And that is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad and the security branches,” he told the graduation ceremony.
“As long as they are here, as long as they strive to acquire horrific weapons, the State of Israel faces an existential threat… And our duty, the duty of all of us, is to save the nation.”
Netanyahu accused Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei of continuing his late father’s effort to build nuclear weapons and warned that Tehran would eventually rebuild its nuclear capabilities that were destroyed during previous U.S. and Israeli military operations.
He also claimed that President Donald Trump had agreed that further military action was necessary, although the White House has not publicly confirmed that the Trump administration is committed to overthrowing the government.
Netanyahu has argued repeatedly throughout the conflict that destroying Iran’s military infrastructure will achieve little in the long term if the country’s leadership remains in place.
Trump Says U.S. Could Take Iran’s Oil
President Donald Trump may not have publicly confirmed that the U.S. intends to overthrow the Iranian regime in a new round of strikes, but he did make another extraordinary and unexpected threat against Iran on Friday, October 23.
The president suggested that American forces may one day occupy the country and take control of its oil industry — a comment that, itself, suggests the U.S. is seriously considering toppling the regime.
Speaking to reporters before departing Washington for Florida, President Trump said that Iran has been weakened by American military operations and the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iranian ports.
“And we could, if we wanted to, just take all of the oil; we can take the whole country,” President Trump said. “We can take all of the oil. And as you know, the Hormuz Strait is totally ours. And that’s the way we’ll keep it.”
Trump added that Iran has “no money” and cited inflation of 301%, noting “that’s the highest in the world right now.”
He also claimed that “there’s more oil coming out right now through the Strait of Hormuz than it was even before the war…we have done a hell of a job.”
Later that same day, during a campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump raised the prospect of another round of strikes if Tehran refuses to concede.
“We may do another little epic fury, or they’ll agree,” he said, referring to Operation Epic Fury.
However, reports continue to suggest that the White House is considering whether to let the conflict gradually subside or launch new strikes.
U.S. Reportedly Prevented Israeli Attacks Sooner
Israel’s position on Iran is largely unchanged, and the latest comments by Netanyahu follow reports that the president stood in the way of the Israeli military launching larger strikes far earlier.
Reports suggest that Israeli forces were prepared to launch a major new military campaign against Iran earlier this month.
Per reports, Israeli forces were prepared to begin strikes over the weekend of October 10, with Iran’s nuclear facilities, military installations, and potentially some civilian infrastructure in their crosshairs.
The proposed new offensive is understood to be more extensive than the strikes conducted earlier this year, but President Trump reportedly opposed launching another major campaign before the November 3 midterm elections.
American military preparations have continued regardless.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
