Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly declared his intent to bring down Iran's government, a hard-line message that analysts read as an attempt to rally his base before Israel's general election and the U.S. midterms. But with the United States building up military forces in the Middle East, concern is growing that strikes could resume once the voting is over.
"The only way to remove the Iranian threat forever is to topple the regime," Netanyahu said at a commissioning ceremony for Israeli military officers, according to a Washington Post report on the 22nd, local time. "This is the directive I am giving to the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad and the security agencies." He said Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was "following in his father's footsteps and once again trying to develop a bomb of death," and argued that "as long as the current regime survives, Israel's very existence will be under threat."
Netanyahu also said U.S. President Donald Trump had signaled a willingness to carry out further attacks on Iran. He said Trump had indicated days earlier that he was ready to finish the job and would act in coordination with Israel.
Analysts say political calculation ahead of the vote underlies the remarks. Israel holds its general election on the 27th. The campaign has centered on accountability for the security failure that allowed the Palestinian militant group Hamas to launch its surprise attack in October 2023, and on the results of military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. With his political future at stake, Netanyahu is seen as pushing security to the front to shore up voter support.
Trump faces his own pressures before the midterm elections on Nov. 3, with the economic costs of the war with Iran and the debate over military intervention emerging as central issues. Trump has said he will not launch further strikes on Iran before the vote.
Many experts say Israel is unlikely to topple Iran's leadership through air strikes alone. Some analysts say the Iranian government's grip on power has in fact tightened in recent months. "Given the operational difficulties, the threats raised by Trump and Netanyahu appear to reflect some campaign-season bluster," the Washington Post said.
Still, many observers say a renewed military clash after the elections remains possible. The United States is reported to be expanding its forces in the Middle East in preparation for additional strikes on Iran. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. military is preparing to deploy as many as three aircraft carriers and escort vessels to the region during November. About 50,000 U.S. troops are already stationed in the Middle East. No decision has been made on whether to attack, but the buildup widens the military options available should Trump choose to act.
Diplomatic efforts are also continuing. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he does not trust the Trump administration but is prepared to pursue a diplomatic settlement to end the war. He warned that if Washington again chooses military action, it will face an even greater strategic failure.