Israel seeks regime change in Iran – ‘This is how dictatorships fall’

“A tornado is sweeping through Tehran” – Israel’s defense minister hints that ongoing Israeli campaign against Iranian regime could lead to collapse of the Islamic republic.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel’s defense chief hinted on Wednesday that the ongoing air campaign against Iran’s nuclear program and military could lead to regime change, toppling the Islamic republic.

Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) issued a statement declaring that “a tornado storm is sweeping through Tehran,” following a wave of IDF strikes in the Iranian capital.

While Israel’s air campaign in Iran, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, initially focused on Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, and Iran’s air defense network, IDF strikes have subsequently targeted regime agencies, infrastructure, and even state-run media outlets.

In retaliation for Iranian ballistic missile attacks on civilian areas across Israel, the IDF began conducting targeted strikes on governmental buildings in Iran, in particular in Tehran.

Early Wednesday morning, the IDF reported that more than 50 Israel Air Force jets pounded targets in the Tehran area, including a uranium enrichment facility.

A day earlier, Israeli warplanes bombed a communications center in Tehran used by state TV, briefly disrupting a live broadcast.

“Symbols of power are being blown up and collapsing — from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets — and masses of residents are fleeing,” Katz said, referring to the mass exodus of civilians from Iran’s capital city.

“This is how dictatorships collapse.”

Israel has given mixed signals on whether it will target Iran’s political leadership, or pursue regime change.

Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, a long-time confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said earlier this week that Israel is not presently seeking to assassinate Iran’s leadership or change the regime, while quickly adding that those goals could be adopted at a moment’s notice.

“’At the present time’ here means only the next 60 seconds,” Hanegbi said.