New, highly explicit statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, and a supportive call from Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah, provide compelling new indications that Israel’s strategic aims concerning Iran extend significantly beyond deterrence, pointing towards an active interest in fostering regime change.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s June 13th video message, delivered directly to the Iranian populace, marks a notable escalation in rhetoric. He urged Iranians “to unite… by standing up for your freedom,” casting Israel’s ongoing “Operation Rising Lion” not merely as a defensive maneuver but as an action intended to “clear the path for you to achieve your freedom.” By denouncing the “murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” Netanyahu explicitly framed Israeli military action as a catalyst for internal liberation, a significant departure from more ambiguous prior stances.
This sentiment was directly echoed and amplified by Minister Amichai Chikli. His assertion that Israel is “fighting the war against the Islamic revolution, and not against the Iranian people” clearly delineates the target. Chikli’s direct appeal to the Iranian people and opposition to “seize the moment… and to try and take back your country” suggests a belief that current Israeli operations create an unprecedented window of opportunity for an internal uprising. He further attempted to foster a sense of common ground by highlighting Iran’s comparatively low levels of antisemitism, implying a “natural bond” ripe for a post-regime relationship.
The timing of these statements, coinciding with Reza Pahlavi’s appeal, further solidifies the impression of a concerted push. Pahlavi urged Iran’s security forces to “abandon the cleric-run state” and voiced hope for “toppling the Islamic republic,” describing the Tehran government as “weak and divided.” His call for Iranians to “reclaim” their country, issued in the context of Israeli military strikes, aligns perfectly with the narrative being promoted by Netanyahu and Chikli.
While Israel has long viewed the Iranian regime as an existential threat, these coordinated messages represent a more overt strategy. The direct calls for popular uprising, coupled with the framing of Israeli military action as a facilitator for such change, strongly suggest that destabilizing and ultimately replacing the Islamic Republic is now a more openly articulated Israeli objective. It signals a potential shift from a policy primarily focused on containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence to one that actively seeks to empower internal forces to dismantle the regime from within.
Photo: Reza Pahlavi, Wikimedia Commons