AFP reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had directed security agencies to bring down Iran’s government, six days before Israel’s parliamentary election.
At a campaign rally in Dimona on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Netanyahu framed Iran’s government as a danger he said could be ended only through its removal, AFP reported. AFP quoted Netanyahu as saying, “Therefore, there is only one way to end this: by toppling this regime.” The outlet reported that he named the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad and other security branches, but gave no timetable or operational details.
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Oct. 8 that the United States would not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. His post addressed U.S. action and did not say whether Israel might act independently.
Accounts of a possible Israeli attack during the weekend of Oct. 10 differ. The Financial Times, citing three people familiar with the matter, reported that the IDF was ready to strike and that Trump opposed renewed fighting before the U.S. midterms. The Jerusalem Post, citing its own sources, reported that no attack was planned for that date and no official had ordered preparations. The Financial Times also reported that civilian energy infrastructure could be among the potential targets.
Reuters’ analysis said regional policymakers and analysts expect Iran to remain a central adversary for Israel regardless of the election result, with military force continuing to play a major role in Israeli policy. In a security doctrine published Oct. 18, the Prime Minister’s Office urged action against threats before they mature, including pre-emptive strikes. The document put early action ahead of containment and defense.
The Prime Minister’s Office had also published Netanyahu’s account of an Oct. 18 discussion with Trump, in which he said he raised removing Iran’s government. EconoTimes previously covered Netanyahu’s account of the discussion. Israel’s Central Elections Committee lists Tuesday, Oct. 27, as election day for the 26th Knesset.
