Netanyahu Orders IDF, Mossad to Topple Iran's Regime as Israeli Vote Looms in 5 Days
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 22
Netanyahu Orders IDF, Mossad to Topple Iran's Regime as Israeli Vote Looms in 5 Days
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 22
Summary
Netanyahu said he has directed the IDF, Mossad and other security agencies to overthrow Iran's regime, calling it the only way to remove a nuclear threat "once and for all."
Speaking at an IDF officer graduation ceremony, he accused Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei of trying again to develop nuclear weapons and said Israel faces an "existential threat" as long as the regime survives.
Netanyahu added that Donald Trump had said the United States was ready to "finish the job" with Israel, even though Trump has publicly said there will be no attacks before the midterm elections.
The remarks come 5 days before Israel's election, turning Iran into a sharper campaign issue as Netanyahu seeks support after the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre and the Gaza war that followed.
They also follow Netanyahu's meeting this week with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Ovda Air Base, where his office said the two discussed offensive and defensive cooperation on regional threats.