Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that removing Iran’s government remains Israel’s central strategic objective, saying he has discussed the goal repeatedly with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the academic year at Tel Hai University in Kiryat Shmona, near Israel’s border with Lebanon, Netanyahu said dismantling Iran’s leadership would also lead to the collapse of Hezbollah and potentially open the way for peace with Lebanon.
Despite what he described as significant Israeli military gains against Hezbollah, Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s broader campaign was far from complete.
“I am committed to finishing the job,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.
“Finishing the job means bringing down the terrorist regime in Iran. It is the head of this poisonous octopus. You cut it off, and it will fall. We will also have peace with Lebanon.”
Netanyahu described the overthrow of Iran’s government as Israel’s primary objective, revealing that he had raised the issue with Trump on several occasions, including during discussions on Sunday.
The Israeli leader argued that weakening Iran militarily would not be sufficient to eliminate what he considers the long-term threat posed by Tehran.
He warned that Iran could eventually rebuild its military capabilities, revive its nuclear programme and restore its network of regional allies unless its leadership was removed from power.
Netanyahu maintained that the collapse of Iran’s government would also bring about Hezbollah’s defeat, although he offered no evidence that regime change in Tehran would automatically produce that outcome.
Trump backing strengthens Netanyahu’s position
The remarks followed renewed political support from Trump ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27.
During a recently publicised telephone conversation, Trump expressed confidence that Netanyahu would secure a decisive electoral victory.
Netanyahu praised Trump as Israel’s greatest-ever friend, while the US president defended his endorsement of the Israeli leader and described him as a fighter.
Trump’s public backing comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following months of military confrontation and diplomatic uncertainty.
On Monday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also met Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, with discussions focused on Iran and bilateral military cooperation.
Threat of renewed confrontation
Netanyahu’s comments represent an explicit declaration that Israel’s objectives extend beyond containing Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities to removing its political leadership.
The statement follows US-Israeli military operations against Iran earlier this year and continuing tensions involving Iranian-aligned groups across the Middle East.
However, while Netanyahu said he had discussed overthrowing Iran’s government with Trump, he did not announce a new joint military operation or establish that Washington had formally adopted regime change as its policy.
Earlier this month, Netanyahu said he was not seeking another pre-emptive attack on Iran before Israel’s elections, but left open the possibility of military action afterward.
