President Donald Trump welcomes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu to the White House. (White House)
Washington Post: Final Israeli strikes aimed at toppling Tehran leadership were paused when Trump announced ceasefire.
By David Brummer, World Israel News
Israel was reportedly preparing to bring down Iran’s regime before U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sudden ceasefire last month.
The Washington Post, citing Israeli and American officials, reported Friday that Israel had launched a sweeping military campaign designed to cripple Iran’s nuclear program and destabilize its leadership.
“When Trump declared a ceasefire, Israel was moving into a final phase of attacks intended to topple the regime,” wrote columnist David Ignatius.
That final phase was halted mid-operation.
Trump’s announcement on June 23 ended a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, one that culminated with U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
U.S. officials reportedly told the Post they would only join the campaign if it showed progress.
By the time Trump stepped in, they assessed Israel had gone as far as it could.
At the height of the conflict, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to support regime change in Tehran.
In a Truth Social post from late June, Trump wrote: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
According to the Post, Israel’s assault had already devastated Iran’s nuclear and military assets, reportedly setting back its weapons program by one to two years.
“Iran is no longer a threshold nuclear state,” an Israeli source told the paper.
The same source claimed nearly all of Iran’s top nuclear scientists were killed, and its enrichment and weaponization efforts left in ruins.
Israel’s attacks targeted key facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, along with hidden uranium stockpiles. EMP and nuclear fusion research centers were also struck.
The goal, the source said, was to dismantle not just infrastructure, but also the personnel and supply chains supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The Post described the assault as a combination of precision airstrikes, cyberwarfare, and advanced AI-based targeting.
Within 48 hours, Israel reportedly established total air superiority and destroyed half of Iran’s ballistic missiles and 80% of its launchers. The campaign killed hundreds of Iranians, including nuclear scientists, military personnel, and civilians.
Iran responded with a salvo of missile strikes, killing 27 Israeli civilians before the ceasefire took hold.
The full scope of the operation and its long-term impact will inevitably continue to unfold over the coming weeks, months and years.
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