politics
March 24, 2026
Netanyahu pitched regime change in Iran to Trump ahead of joint attack
Netanyahu had used promises of a Mossad-backed Iran uprising to persuade Trump to back strikes, but the scheme failed, a report has said
TL;DR
- Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded Donald Trump to launch a joint attack on Iran with the promise of a swift coup.
- Mossad head David Barnea proposed a plan to foment rebellion and topple the Iranian government within days.
- Despite doubts from US and Israeli intelligence, Trump and Netanyahu pursued the optimistic outlook of regime change.
- The CIA assessed that a full government collapse was unlikely, predicting hardliners would retain power.
- After the attack, which included the killing of top Iranian officials like Ali Khamenei, the government did not fall.
- Netanyahu is reportedly frustrated with Mossad's failure to deliver on regime change and fears Trump might end the war.
- Iran has accused Mossad of interfering in its internal affairs and instigating past unrest.
- Russia has condemned the US and Israeli attack and urged a diplomatic settlement.
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