Netanyahu says he discussed regime change in Iran with Trump on 18 October
In short
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 20 October that he spoke with US President Donald Trump on 18 October about overthrowing the government in Iran. He said Israel still wants this outcome and that Hezbollah would cease to exist if it happened. Israel holds parliamentary elections on 27 October.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 20 October that he spoke with US President Donald Trump on 18 October about a change of political order in Iran, RIA Novosti reported. TASS described the exchange as a telephone conversation about further steps toward a change of power in Iran. Kommersant said Netanyahu told journalists about the call himself. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti said Netanyahu spoke at the opening of the academic year at a new university in Kiryat Shmona, and cited his office for his words. "I am determined to complete this task. Completing the task means the overthrow of the regime in Iran... I have discussed this with President Trump more than once, including the day before yesterday," he said. [ 1 ]
According to RIA Novosti, Netanyahu said that if this happens, Hezbollah will cease to exist. Kommersant quoted him as saying that after the overthrow of the Iranian government Israel "will be able to get rid of Hezbollah" in Lebanon. RIA Novosti also said Netanyahu spoke of creating a security belt and of defeating Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. [ 1 , 3 ]
Kommersant wrote that several media outlets, citing sources, had reported that Netanyahu and Trump were discussing a new operation against Iran. It said a report dated 13 October stated that the two leaders had spoken by phone and discussed new strikes on Iran before elections in both countries. Israel holds parliamentary elections on 27 October and the United States holds midterm congressional elections on 3 November. [ 3 ]
RIA Novosti said that earlier in October Netanyahu spoke of a threat of a possible attack on Israel ahead of the elections, saying the military was ready for any scenario. It said Defence Minister Israel Katz and the chief of the general staff also voiced concern, and that the Israel Defense Forces are on heightened alert amid fears of escalation. It added that Israel continues to hold part of southern Lebanon, which its troops entered after large-scale fighting with Hezbollah resumed in March. It said the US and Israel began striking targets in Iran on 28 February, and that Iran responded with its own strikes. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The statement comes a week before Israeli parliamentary elections and two weeks before US midterm elections. RIA Novosti says the Israeli military is on heightened alert amid fears of escalation in the region.
Key facts
- Netanyahu said on 20 October that he spoke with Trump on 18 October about regime change in Iran. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Netanyahu said: "I am determined to complete this task. Completing the task means the overthrow of the regime in Iran." [ 1 ]
- Netanyahu said that if the Iranian government falls, Hezbollah will cease to exist. [ 1 , 3 ]
- RIA Novosti said Netanyahu spoke at the opening of the academic year at a new university in Kiryat Shmona. [ 1 ]
- Israeli parliamentary elections are set for 27 October. [ 1 , 3 ]
- US midterm congressional elections are set for 3 November, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
- The Israel Defense Forces are on heightened alert amid fears of escalation in the region, RIA Novosti reported. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether a new operation against Iran is being prepared. RIA Novosti and Kommersant refer to media reports, citing sources, that Netanyahu and Trump are discussing a new operation; Netanyahu's quoted remarks in the documents do not confirm any such plan.
- What was agreed in the 18 October conversation. Netanyahu's quoted remarks, as given by the documents, say only that the subject was discussed.