Safest Countries in the World Face New Risks as Netanyahu Orders Toppling of Iran Regime
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has directed the IDF, Mossad and other security branches to topple Iran's regime, describing it as the only way to end the threat from Tehran, a development that raises questions even for the safest countries in the world.
Netanyahu's Directive to Overthrow Iran's Government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he has directed the military and the Mossad to bring down the Iranian government. [1] Speaking at a graduation ceremony for IDF officer cadets, Netanyahu said his instruction to the Israel Defense Forces and the Mossad was “to overthrow the regime in Iran”, saying that Tehran “has not yet learned its lesson”. [1] He accused Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei of following in his father’s footsteps by “unlocking the weapon”, and said Iran was again trying to build a nuclear bomb. [1] Netanyahu said the only way to remove the threat posed by Iran was to topple its government. [3] "Iran wanted to destroy us; we stopped them. They wanted to produce nuclear bombs; we stopped them ... Yet they persist," he said during an election rally in the southern town of Dimona. [3] "Therefore, there is only one way to end this: by toppling this regime." [3] "This is the directive I have issued to the Israel Defence Forces, to the Mossad, and to all our security branches," he added, without specifying when or how that directive would be executed. [3]
Context of Recent Israeli Military Activity Near Iran
Dozens of Israel Air Force fighter jets flew "as far as the Iranian border" before turning around and returning to Israel in a practice sortie on Monday, according to an Axios report on Wednesday citing US and Israeli officials. [2] The fighter jets and accompanying refueling aircraft allegedly passed through Syrian and Iraqi airspace, following a flight path consistent with that taken during strikes on Iran. [2] While some sources told Axios that the sortie was not unusual and was intended to deter Iran, US officials said that Israel knew Iran’s air defense systems would detect the jets. [2] Israel reportedly notified the US of the operation in advance, describing the training exercise as a “power projection” aimed at deterring Iran from attacking Israel ahead of the October 27 Knesset elections. [2] Israel’s Channel 12, citing US officials, reported that dozens of Israeli fighter jets and refuelling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq towards the Iranian border earlier this week on a route suggesting an attack, though the aircraft turned back shortly before reaching Iranian territory. [1] According to Channel 12, Israel told Washington in advance that the flight was an exercise and a show of force meant to deter Iran. [1] The channel said some sources believe certain Israeli officials may have hoped Iran would fire on the aircraft, giving Israel a pretext to attack. [1]
Israeli Air Force jets and refueling aircraft conduct practice sortie near Iran border. — Source: jerusalempost
US-Israeli Divergence Ahead of Elections
The Financial Times has reported that Netanyahu sought to launch strikes against Iran earlier this month, but that US president Donald Trump opposed a new conflict ahead of the US midterm elections. [1] Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli military to plan for resumed strikes against Iran earlier this month, according to sources cited by the Financial Times on Wednesday, but US President Donald Trump reportedly objected to the idea. [3] The US leader has publicly said that he does not intend to restart the war, which Washington started in February alongside Israel, before the US mid-term elections early next month. [3] This week, Netanyahu thanked Trump in a video for his endorsement in the Israeli election, and said that the two leaders have "a job to finish" in Iran. [3] Channel 12 also reported that IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned his American counterpart, General Dan Caine, that a war before Israel’s elections next week would probably force a postponement of the vote. [1]
Iranian Leadership and Domestic Situation
Iran's parliament speaker meets Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid tensions with US, Israel. [4] Rare meeting follows previously reported talks between Iranian president and supreme leader, who has made no public appearances since taking office in March. [4] Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also warned against a potential threat from Iran. [3] Speaking at an officers' graduation ceremony in southern Israel on Wednesday, he said that "the Iranian regime is at its weakest point ever, and we recognise that this weakness could lead it to take the most extreme steps". [3] "If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!" he said. [3] Katz also warned against unspecified attempts by Israel's enemies to disrupt the upcoming vote. [3] "In recent days, we have identified attempts by our enemies - led by Iran and its proxies - to advance attacks that could affect the outcome of Israel's elections," he said. [3]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at an IDF officer cadets graduation ceremony. — Source: channelnewsasia
Information Warfare and Long-Term Iranian Strategy
Iran, recognizing surefire defeat in a kinetic war, is leaning in on an information warfare campaign to undermine the United States and Israel from within, according to Yuval David, a strategic U.S.-Israel geopolitical communications advisor. [5] "You cannot beat Israel or the United States in a physical kinetic war," David told Fox News Digital from Budapest, where he joined Israeli President Isaac Herzog for high-level diplomatic talks Wednesday, adding the warning of an "information warfare system." [5] "And that’s what’s going on with social media, with our devices and the people who are on TikTok and Instagram and Facebook and X and YouTube and all of the different social media platforms where the Islamic Republic of Iran is able to affect people’s minds." [5] "One of the things that it does is it tries to create a rot from within the societies and, sadly, it’s very much succeeding in doing so," he added, stating that Iran's campaign has enjoyed "guidance from Russia and China." [5] David’s warning comes as Israel prepares for an election next week that analysts say could change its leadership but is unlikely to produce a fundamental shift in the country’s Iran policy. [5]
Implications for Israeli Policy and the Upcoming Vote
A Reuters analysis published Wednesday found that Iran will likely remain Israel’s chief adversary, with military force continuing to serve as the country’s preferred tool against its enemies. [5] The report said Israel’s security doctrine is centered on confronting Iran, maintaining buffer zones beyond its borders and keeping military pressure on to deter threats. [5] A victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, backed by conservative coalition partners, could deepen Israel’s confrontation with Tehran, not bring about appeasement. [5] Even an opposition-led government would likely share the same broad strategic outlook, David said. [5] "The Islamic Republic of Iran is a massive concern for the world," David said. [5] "Tehran does not fear another diplomatic statement. It fears an America and an Israel with the intelligence, military capabilities and political will to act together." [5] "Presidents come and go, prime ministers come and go. America’s and Israel’s enemies do not take election years off," he said. [5] "America doesn’t need to choose Israel’s prime minister, nor will it, nor can it, nor is it even trying to. America just needs a strong Israeli partner, whoever the Israelis elect." [5]
What to watch next: Analysts say the election is unlikely to produce a fundamental shift in Israel’s confrontational approach toward Iran regardless of the winner, while Israeli officials continue to cite attempts by enemies led by Iran to affect the outcome of the vote.
