Netanyahu: Israel aims to empower Iranians to topple regime, pursuing Iran's nuclear program
In Cairo on the 12th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a local press conference that he has added a new war objective: to create conditions for the Iranian people to topple the regime that has led them for nearly five decades. He said this is in addition to Israel’s two existing goals—preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities.
Netanyahu said the new objective aims to empower Iranians to seek freedom, while acknowledging that the other aims remain essential. He framed the moment as a turning point for those seeking change inside Iran, declaring that Israel stands with the Iranian people but stressing that the final outcome depends on them.
He also warned that Israel is striking Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, its bases, units, and checkpoints, and that more attacks would follow. Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli campaign has killed Iran’s senior nuclear scientists, a statement that underscores the high-stakes nature of the conflict and the broader covert pressure on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Israeli leader touted a closer partnership with the United States, saying the alliance with President Donald Trump is stronger than ever. He asserted that the two countries speak nearly every day, sharing ideas and advice and making decisions together as the war continues.
On Iran’s leadership, Netanyahu attacked the country’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Moztaba Hamenei, describing him as a puppet controlled by the Revolutionary Guards who cannot appear publicly. The remarks reflect his broader critique of Tehran’s leadership and the role of the IRGC in Iran’s political system.
For U.S. readers, the remarks highlight the potential for broader regional escalation and its implications for American interests. A more aggressive Israeli stance toward Iran could affect regional security dynamics, risk unintended spillovers to neighboring states, and influence energy markets and international diplomacy.
The statements also underscore ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and leadership succession, issues that shape U.S. policy toward Tehran, defense planning, and global supply chains tied to Middle East stability. The situation remains highly fluid, with potential consequences for markets, technology transfers, and strategic calculations in Washington.