Netanyahu calls for removal of Iranian regime following talks with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the total removal of the Iranian regime as his country's primary strategic objective. In a series of recent statements, including a meeting with local leaders from the Lebanese border and an interview with i24, Netanyahu described Iran as the "head of an octopus" and argued that eliminating the regime is the only way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and restoring its regional influence. He explicitly stated that the collapse of the Iranian government would lead to the disintegration of Hezbollah, which he claims is a necessary prerequisite for achieving peace with Lebanon.

Netanyahu confirmed that he discussed these goals extensively with U.S. President Donald Trump, including a phone conversation held on Sunday, October 18, 2026. According to the Israeli leader, Trump has expressed willingness to cooperate on these matters. Additionally, Netanyahu alleged that Iranian actors are currently attempting to interfere in Israel's electoral processes to influence the outcome against him. He noted that he has directed the Mossad and the Israel Defense Forces to prioritize these objectives, framing the confrontation as a critical necessity for regional stability.