Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Tel Aviv that removing Iran’s government has become a central Israeli objective and is within reach.
Netanyahu made the comments during a toast ahead of Rosh Hashanah, which begins next week, at the Kirya. Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and members of the IDF General Staff Forum attended.
“This regime is currently crumbling. It is weaker than ever. Overthrowing the regime is the central mission still before us, but it is near. It is not impossible, and it is within reach,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said Iran has refrained from attacking Israel because its leaders understand Israel’s military capabilities and willingness to use them.
“It is no coincidence that they are not attacking us. They are attacking everyone except us. They know our strength, the force of our blows and our determination,” he said.
Netanyahu also expressed confidence that Israel could eliminate the threat posed by Iran and bring down its government.
“I am convinced of our ability to remove the threat once and for all and overthrow the Iranian regime that is fighting for its life. I say to our enemies – don’t mess with us. We have the power, the determination, and the internal unity to overcome you.”
His remarks come as renewed fighting between the US and Iran continues and negotiations aimed at ending the conflict have reached an impasse.
Earlier Thursday, Katz warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would prompt strikes against all of the regime’s infrastructure, “including energy infrastructure.” Iran had threatened retaliation over Israel Defense Forces operations at Lebanon’s Ali Taher Ridge, a strategic underground facility.
Before the US renewed strikes in response to Iran targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking US bases in the region, US President Donald Trump declared an “economic D-Day” aimed at using financial pressure to bring down the Iranian government. Trump described it on Truth Social as “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country!”
The US has imposed sanctions, frozen assets and adopted additional financial measures intended to restrict Tehran’s access to international trade and foreign currency.
Iran is also confronting an economic crisis, with the Iranian rial falling to more than 2 million per US dollar as sharply rising inflation drives up food prices and other essential costs.
