Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he pressed the case for removing Iran’s government in an Oct. 18 discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump, citing the risk of renewed efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
The remarks, published Oct. 20 by Netanyahu’s office, came from the opening of the academic year at Kiryat Shmona-Tel Hai University. Netanyahu said he had raised the issue with Trump more than once.
Netanyahu said Iran’s government would try to rebuild what he called “the axis” if it remained in power. He predicted Hezbollah’s elimination would happen in parallel with the government’s fall and said Israel would have peace with Lebanon.
His account of the Oct. 18 discussion followed a separate call released Oct. 19, in which Netanyahu told Trump they had “a job to finish.” The released call identified no operation or timetable.
At an Oct. 20 forum, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack called for negotiations with Iran, arguing that earlier U.S. attempts to replace governments in the region had failed.
Trump endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection bid on Oct. 18. Israel’s parliamentary election is scheduled for Oct. 27.
