Netanyahu Orders IDF, Mossad to overthrow Iranian regime

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Mossad and the country’s defense establishment to overthrow the Iranian regime, declaring that Tehran continues to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities.

According to Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu made the remarks on Wednesday during a graduation ceremony for IDF officer cadets, where he accused Iran’s leadership of continuing its efforts to develop weapons that threaten Israel’s security.

“My directive to the IDF, the Mossad, and the defense establishment… [is] to overthrow the regime in Iran,” Netanyahu said.

He accused Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei of following the policies of his predecessor and warned that Tehran was again attempting to develop a nuclear bomb.

“The Iranian regime still has not learned its lesson,” Netanyahu said, adding that Iran was once again seeking to develop what he described as weapons of death.

The remarks came amid heightened Israeli preparations for possible military strikes against Iran.

Reports have offered conflicting accounts of whether Israel planned to attack Iran on October 10 before US President Donald Trump intervened.

Netanyahu also vowed to intensify Israel’s campaign against Iranian-backed armed groups, specifically naming Hamas and Hezbollah.

“We will eliminate Hamas, and we will eliminate Hezbollah,” he said, arguing that the groups and Iran’s leadership continued to pose an existential threat to Israel.

Netanyahu added that Trump shared his assessment of the security situation and referred to the US president’s stated readiness to complete ongoing military objectives alongside Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz also addressed the graduating officers, warning Tehran against attacking Israel and accusing Iran and its proxies of attempting to undermine the country’s upcoming elections.

“If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!” Katz declared.

He said Iran’s current weakness could encourage its leadership to take extreme measures against Israel, adding that anyone responsible for harming Israeli civilians or soldiers would face severe consequences.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, who also spoke at the ceremony, urged the newly graduated officers to carry out their responsibilities professionally and morally.

Zamir said the military would continue confronting emerging threats and prevent Israel’s adversaries from rebuilding their capabilities.

The ceremony was not broadcast live amid restrictions intended to prevent politicians from using military events for election campaigning.

The IDF had reportedly consulted Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara over concerns that political speeches could violate election propaganda regulations.

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