Former Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea Calls for Escalation Against Iran Until Regime Falls

Dedi Barnea, former head of Mossad, stated on Thursday that the sanctions announced by US President Donald Trump against Iran represent only a preliminary step. Barnea emphasized that it will be necessary to escalate economic, political, and operational measures against the Iranian regime until it collapses, which he asserted is inevitable. He praised Israel's current strategic position as significantly improved since the October 7 attacks, noting that the Iranian threat is now recognized globally, not just by Israel.

Barnea spoke at a ceremony in Jerusalem where he received an award, highlighting that the Iranian people desire the regime's fall and that the Western world, led by the US and Israel, is determined to see it happen. He also commented on regional militant groups, stating that Hezbollah in Lebanon no longer poses the same threat as before, and Hamas in Gaza is no longer the organized military force it once was.

The article references a report from The New York Times in April, revealing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a plan to Trump outlining a near-certain victory scenario against Iran. This plan included the rapid destruction of Iran's ballistic missile program, weakening the regime to the point it could not close the Strait of Hormuz, and minimizing the risk of Iranian attacks on US interests in the Gulf. The Mossad also suggested that Kurdish forces might launch a ground offensive from Iraq to hasten the regime's downfall, alongside renewed protests in Tehran supported covertly by Mossad and an intensified bombing campaign.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, who presented Barnea with the award, praised his leadership during critical moments, crediting him with protecting Israel from existential threats. The article also notes that Netanyahu showed Trump a video featuring potential post-regime Iranian leaders, including Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah, to which Trump responded positively, signaling support for joint US-Israeli action.