As bombing continues, Israel’s war aim in Iran becomes clear: Regime change

Israel's military operation against Iran is aimed at regime change, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on Iranians to overthrow their government after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US-Israel joint attack has already killed over 555 people in Iran, including 180 at a girls' school. Netanyahu's comments suggest that Israel seeks regime change from within, but it is unclear how invested Israeli officials are in ensuring a smooth transition. Many Iranians have taken to the streets in protests, united by their opposition to the government. The operation has sparked widespread violence and unrest in Iran. The Israeli government's policy on regime change in Iran appears to be a longstanding goal.

On March 1, 2026, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, including the town of Beit Shemesh, resulting in at least nine deaths and 28 injuries. These attacks are part of Iran's retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an earlier Israel-US strike. Tel Aviv residents reported explosions, and Israeli emergency services confirmed casualties. Iran's parliamentary speaker stated the attacks were a response to Israel crossing a "red line." The US military reported minimal damage and no casualties from hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Israel stated it intercepted many of the dozens of missiles launched toward its territory.

In March 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran, targeting locations in Tehran, including the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following the attack, Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death. U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian people to overthrow their government. In response, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, specifically in Beit Shemesh. Protests erupted in Pakistan condemning Khamenei's death, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The attacks mark an escalation of tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Following a previous military action against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched another war less than a year later, which has been met with widespread support from Israeli politicians and the public. This support persists despite increasing casualties and damage within Israel from Iranian attacks. The conflict follows the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an action showcasing Israeli military and espionage capabilities. While some Israelis express regret that the war wasn't initiated sooner, the article contrasts this militaristic approach with the less celebrated peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt, which provided crucial assistance during the conflict by offering safe passage for stranded Israelis. The article suggests a shift in Israeli sentiment towards embracing military solutions over diplomacy.

The CIA tracked the movements of Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for months and shared this intelligence with Israeli officials. This intelligence sharing influenced the timing of recent strikes. These strikes, conducted by the US and Israel, resulted in the death of Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders, prompting Iran to vow revenge. Iran retaliated with missile strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, including the first known American deaths, and has escalated tensions in the region, with Israel pledging continued strikes.

A joint US-Israeli mission culminated in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following a strike on a compound in central Tehran. The attack occurred in the morning after the US and Israel received crucial intelligence about Khamenei's planned meeting with senior military and intelligence figures. For months, the US and Israel had been tracking the Supreme Leader's movements, potentially using both human sources and technical tracking methods, including monitoring bodyguards to establish patterns of life. The intelligence, reportedly from the CIA, was passed to Israel to carry out the strike using long-range missiles. This operation highlights a potential division of labor, with Israel focusing on leadership targets and the US on military targets, and also suggests vulnerabilities in Iranian security despite awareness of the threat.

According to sources familiar with the operation, the United States provided intelligence to Israel that helped pinpoint a gathering of Iranian leaders. The intelligence sharing by the C.I.A. enabled Israel to conduct a strike that resulted in the deaths of Iran's supreme leader and other high-ranking Iranian officials. The collaboration between the two countries focused on identifying the location of the Iranian leaders. The strike occurred after the intelligence was shared, leading to the targeted killings.