Netanyahu's Circle Admits Military Strike Won't Topple Iran's Regime

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the mission to overthrow Iran's regime should be completed within the remaining two years of U.S. President Donald Trump's term. However, reports indicate that within Netanyahu's circle and the defense establishment, there is a consensus that a military action is not the way to achieve this goal. A source close to Netanyahu stated that a military operation could only weaken, not replace, the Iranian regime. A senior security official echoed this sentiment, suggesting that while an attack might weaken the regime, it would not lead to its downfall. Netanyahu himself previously stated that overthrowing the regime is the Iranian people's business.

Meanwhile, American sources told i24NEWS that an attack on Iran is a matter of "when, not if," with assessments suggesting a targeted strike on nuclear facilities, infrastructure, and ports, though regime change is not explicitly stated as an objective. Amidst Netanyahu's warnings to Iran, such as "Don't test us," the security establishment is on alert for potential attacks, particularly around election time. The White House reportedly believes Netanyahu is trying to drag Iran into a war, with reports of multiple recent calls between Netanyahu and Trump where the Iranian issue was pressed. Concerns were raised by White House officials following a Netanyahu publication about an atomic bomb in Tel Aviv, fearing it could lead to miscalculation by Iran and escalation. Trump's subsequent tweet stating no attack would occur that day was seen as a signal that the U.S. was not planning an immediate strike.

Beyond the Iranian issue, Netanyahu has also reportedly asked Trump for public support for his election campaign. U.S. sources interpreted these requests during recent conversations as a "sign of desperation," suggesting that Netanyahu himself believes he is trailing in the election.