Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 21, 2026, explicitly directed Israel's military and intelligence agencies to overthrow the Iranian regime. He declared this action is the "only viable path" to secure Israel's existence from the threat Iran poses.

This declaration elevates regime change in Iran as a primary objective for Israel, occurring just days before Israel's general election on October 27, 2026. The directive comes as both the United States and Israel are reportedly preparing for renewed military strikes on Iranian facilities after the US midterm elections.

What the records show

Prime Minister Netanyahu's directive to overthrow the Iranian regime was articulated on October 21, 2026, during a graduation ceremony for Israel Defense Forces officer cadets. He reiterated this stance in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 television, stating, "If we do not overthrow this regime, it will destroy us". Netanyahu has consistently argued that the Iranian regime's nuclear ambitions remain a chief threat, insisting that toppling the regime is a key strategic objective. He described Tehran as the head of a "poisonous octopus" whose removal, he argued, would also bring down Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The United States and Israel are reportedly preparing for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3. A New York Times report from October 21, citing US officials, details specific plans for a short and intensive operation. Iranian security officials have communicated that Tehran has prepared plans to damage undersea communications infrastructure in response to potential renewed US and Israeli military strikes.

The timeline

Recent US and Israeli military operations against Iran began on February 28, with attacks occurring in June 2025 during an earlier round of US-Iran nuclear diplomacy. On October 18, 2026, Netanyahu vowed to "bring it down," referring to the Iranian regime, as Israelis prepared to vote. By October 21, Netanyahu explicitly stated his directive to the IDF, Mossad, and security agencies to overthrow the Iranian regime. Israel's general election is scheduled for October 27, 2026. Following the US midterm elections on November 3, 2026, the US and Israel are reportedly preparing for renewed military actions against Iran.

What changed and for whom

Netanyahu has stated that Israel adopted a more aggressive approach to regional security following the October 7, 2023, attack, with military campaigns against Iran and its proxies demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategy. He has consistently welcomed the prospect of the Islamic Republic's collapse, placing the removal of Iran's leadership at the forefront of his message as Israelis prepare to vote. This approach shifts the focus from merely weakening Iran militarily to actively pursuing regime change.

For Israeli voters, the upcoming election is seen as highly consequential. While the cost of living remains a top concern for many, the "war with Iran" ranks first for 21% of voters in Netanyahu's coalition. In Iran, residents have described growing anxiety, with some reportedly preparing to leave Tehran amidst fears of renewed attacks.

What the subject has said publicly

Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly stated that toppling the Iranian regime is Israel's key strategic objective. He told cadets on October 21, 2026, "Therefore, there is only one way to remove this threat once and for all: to topple the regime in Iran, and that is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad and the security agencies". He emphasized that Israel's very existence depends on overthrowing the regime, arguing that if it acquires nuclear bombs, Israel "will no longer exist".

US President Donald Trump has outlined his administration's objectives regarding Iran. These include preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon, limiting its military capabilities, obliterating its ballistic missile arsenal, annihilating its navy, and severing its support for proxy forces. Trump has also stated that he aims to make the outcomes of military operations "permanent".

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific operational details or timing of the reported renewed US and Israeli military strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections. The exact nature and scope of Iran's plans to damage undersea communications infrastructure in response to potential strikes also remain unconfirmed. The precise impact of Netanyahu's directive on the outcome of Israel's October 27 general election could not be confirmed prior to the vote.