What's happened
As of June 24, 2025, Israel's military operation against Iran has intensified, with officials suggesting that regime change may be a goal. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump have made statements indicating a desire to topple Iran's leadership, raising concerns about regional stability and potential backlash from Iran and its allies.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Implications
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Regime Change Ambitions: Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have increasingly suggested that the goal of their military campaign extends beyond nuclear targets to include the overthrow of the Iranian regime. This shift raises questions about the feasibility and consequences of such ambitions.
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U.S. Involvement: President Trump's statements about potential U.S. military action and calls for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' indicate a willingness to escalate the conflict. However, this could provoke significant backlash from Iran and its allies, potentially destabilizing the region further.
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Iran's Resilience: Analysts argue that the Iranian regime is more resilient than perceived. Calls for regime change may inadvertently strengthen hardliners within Iran, consolidating their power rather than weakening it. The ideological and institutional structures of the Iranian government are deeply entrenched, making external attempts at regime change highly problematic.
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Potential Backlash: The rhetoric surrounding regime change could lead to increased hostility and retaliation from Iran, which has already responded with missile strikes against Israeli targets. The situation remains precarious, with the potential for broader conflict if miscalculations occur.
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Long-term Consequences: The ongoing military actions and the push for regime change could lead to a protracted conflict, with significant humanitarian implications for the Iranian populace and regional stability. The international community's response will be crucial in shaping the outcome of this conflict.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Netanyahu's rhetoric has shifted towards advocating for regime change, with statements suggesting that the Iranian regime is 'very weak.' This sentiment is echoed by U.S. President Trump, who has threatened military action and called for Iran's 'unconditional surrender.' However, analysts like Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group caution that such ambitions may be 'magical thinking,' as they overlook the resilience of the Iranian regime and the potential for civil unrest or a hardened response. The Times of Israel highlights that Israeli officials have not ruled out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader, further escalating tensions. Meanwhile, Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran emphasizes that any change must come from within Iran, warning against external imposition of leadership.
How we got here
Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025, targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities amid escalating tensions. Netanyahu's rhetoric has shifted towards advocating for regime change, reflecting a broader ambition beyond just nuclear disarmament. The U.S. has also hinted at military involvement, complicating the situation further.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of regime change in Iran?
- How is the international community responding to this conflict?
- What are the potential consequences for the Iranian people?
Common question
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What Are the Latest Developments in the Israel-Iran Conflict?
The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated significantly, with military actions and political ambitions shaping the landscape. As tensions rise, many are left wondering about the implications of these developments. Here are some common questions people have regarding the ongoing situation.
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What Are the Latest Developments in Israel's Military Operations Against Iran?
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Israel's military operations against Iran have become a focal point of international concern. With Prime Minister Netanyahu's government facing political turmoil and the implications of these actions reverberating throughout the region, many are left wondering about the current state of affairs and what it means for the future.
More on these topics
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Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei is a Twelver Shia Marja' and the second and current supreme leader of Iran, in office since 1989. He was previously the president of Iran from 1981 to 1989.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolutionary Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and later, the Baghdad-based Ba'ath Party and its regional organization the Ira
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Maryam Rajavi is the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, an organization trying to overthrow the Iranian government, and President-elect of its National Council of Resistance of Iran. She is married to Massoud Rajavi, who is the co-leader of MEK.