Israel’s goal not to overthrow Iranian regime – Official

 

IDF Spokesperson in an interview with foreign media says“Israel’s goal is not to overthrow the regime in Iran.

“We are not planning to change the regime there.

“Our objectives are to neutralize the threat posed to Israel by Iran’s nuclear program and its missiles.

“Our military goal is to remove the threat of a nuclear bomb hanging over Israel, eliminate their ballistic missiles, and stop the spread of terrorism in the region.

“This is a defensive operation aimed at neutralizing military threats—not political interference in the regime of a sovereign country.

“Change in Iran’s regime, if it happens, must come from within. We are not the ones driving political change there.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the Israelis:

“Dear citizens of Israel,
We are on the sixth day of Operation ‘Like a Lion.’
We launched this operation to eliminate two existing threats to the State of Israel: the nuclear threat and the threat of ballistic missiles. We are making step-by-step progress in removing these threats.

We control the skies over Tehran. We are striking the Ayatollah regime with tremendous force.
We are targeting nuclear infrastructure, missiles, command centers, and symbols of the regime.

I must tell you that I am speaking with world leaders, and there is tremendous admiration for our determination, for the achievements of our forces—and also tremendous admiration for you, the citizens of Israel; for your resilient spirit, for your strength and perseverance.

We are suffering many losses—painful losses. But we see that the home front is strong, the people are strong, and the State of Israel is stronger than ever. I have instructed government ministries to provide assistance to all those affected.

At the same time, intense fighting continues in the Gaza Strip. We are committed to completing two missions: the defeat of Hamas and the return of all our hostages—both the living and the fallen. We will not let go of this goal.

Unfortunately, in recent days we have lost heroic soldiers. I share in the grief of their families. We send our condolences on behalf of the government and the entire nation.

We embrace them. We will continue until we bring everyone back and until Hamas is definitively defeated.

I would like to thank President Trump, a great friend of the State of Israel.
I thank him for standing by our side, and I thank him for the support the United States is providing in defending Israel’s skies.

We are in constant communication, including last night. We had a very warm conversation. I thank President Trump for his support.

Citizens of Israel,
Together we will fight—and with God’s help, together we will win.”

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