Netanyahu says toppling Iran's government is Israel's "primary objective", says he discussed it with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday that Israel is committed to "the elimination of the Iranian regime" and that he had raised it with US President Donald Trump, most recently on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday 20 October that bringing down Iran’s government is Israel’s “primary objective”, speaking at the opening of the academic year at the new Kiryat Shmona–Tel Hai University near the Lebanese border, according to a statement from his office reported by The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel.
“We must complete the elimination of the Iranian regime — that is the primary objective,” Netanyahu said, according to The Times of Israel. “I have spoken about this with President Trump more than once, including the day before yesterday.”
Netanyahu described Iran’s government as “the head of this poisonous octopus” and said that while it remains in power it would try again to produce nuclear weapons and rebuild its regional “axis”. He said the fall of the Iranian government would lead to the “elimination” of Hezbollah and to peace with Lebanon.
His remarks came a day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s unannounced visit to Israel. Hegseth told reporters on Tuesday he had “a chance to talk to the prime minister” but would not discuss the content, The Times of Israel reported. The same day, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, told Pakistan’s army chief that no enriched uranium would leave Iran, according to Iranian state TV. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Background: The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. An interim agreement mediated by Pakistan in June, the Islamabad Memorandum, unravelled when fighting between Iran and the US resumed, and Israel has largely stayed out of the fighting since April, The Times of Israel reported. Trump has said the US will not bomb Iran again before the US midterm elections on 3 November, The Jerusalem Post reported. Israel holds a general election on 27 October.
See also: Hegseth’s visit to Israel, Iran’s message to Pakistan’s army chief and Rubio’s comments on Iran in Mumbai.
Sources
- Iran security chief rejects moving enriched uranium abroad, as Netanyahu vows to topple regime · The Times of Israel
- Donald Trump nearly approved Iran strikes, Benjamin Netanyahu vows to eliminate regime · The Jerusalem Post
- Toppling Iran's regime is 'primary objective,' Netanyahu says after US talks · Iran International
Related coverage
All world news →
Israel's Katz says army will stay in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops would not leave the 'security zone' in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, and threatened strikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh district in response to any drone or missile launches.
Netanyahu had military plan major Iran offensive for 10 October but Trump opposed it before midterms, FT reports
Israel's military prepared a multi-day bombing campaign against Iran for the weekend of 10 October, the Financial Times reported, citing three people familiar with the plans. It did not go ahead because President Donald Trump opposed restarting the war before the 3 November US midterm elections, the sources said.
Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu for re-election, a day after Trump's "Complete and Total Endorsement"
US Vice President JD Vance said he was "not getting involved" in Israel's 27 October election and was focused on the US midterms, after President Donald Trump publicly backed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hegseth discussed Iran with Netanyahu during unannounced visit to Israel, officials say
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an air base in southern Israel on Monday and discussed Iran, three Israeli officials told Reuters. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Netanyahu says a future US president could be 'very hostile' to Israel and vows to bring down Iran's government
Presenting an updated security doctrine nine days before Israel's 27 October election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for new alliances beyond the United States and said he had directed security agencies to work for the fall of Iran's government. Opposition leaders called the doctrine hollow.
Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israel's 27 October election
The US President gave Benjamin Netanyahu his "Complete and Total Endorsement" on Truth Social. Netanyahu thanked him; his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, said "only Israelis can choose their leader".
