Netanyahu vows Iran regime change but lacks U.S. support — SkimNews
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- Netanyahu stated that overthrowing Iran’s government remains Israel’s 'primary objective', amid declining poll numbers ahead of national elections.
- Trump held talks with Netanyahu and hosted Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, but offered no indication the U.S. would join a new offensive or regime change campaign.
- Israel possesses advanced aerial capabilities and intelligence assets, but analysts say airpower alone cannot topple Iran’s government without a ground component.
- Caglar Kurc argued that regime change would require long-term troop deployment, which Israel is unwilling or unable to commit, and that covert methods risk exposure without guaranteeing political change.
- Sidharth Kaushal noted Iran retains large missile stockpiles and defensive advantages, including mountain shelters and mass production capacity, making retaliation likely and sustained conflict costly for Israel.
- Urban Coningham highlighted that without U.S. bunker-busting bombs, Israel lacks the means to destroy deeply buried Iranian nuclear facilities on its own.
Why it matters: Israel may have the military tools to strike Iran, but not to control it. The gap between destructive capability and political transformation means any unilateral action risks high costs with low odds of achieving regime change, especially without U.S. backing or viable ground forces.
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