Only Iranians Can Topple Iran Regime — But Will Need Outside Help

Only Iranians Can Topple Regime — But Will Need Outside Help

Israel cannot overthrow Iran’s ruling regime on its own, but it can help create the conditions for change, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in an interview on Wednesday.

Speaking to The Times of Israel, Sa’ar said that ultimately only the Iranian people themselves could bring down the country’s leadership.

“Ultimately, we cannot topple the regime — only the Iranian people can,” he said. “But without external assistance they have no chance to topple the regime.”

War Aimed At Weakening Tehran’s Power

The comments come as the conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran continues to escalate following a major bombing campaign launched on February 28.

The military operation followed a large US build-up in the region ordered by Donald Trump, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

According to Sa’ar, Israel’s goal is not officially regime change but weakening Tehran’s ability to suppress internal dissent.

He said Israeli forces are focusing attacks on bases and command centres belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which he described as the backbone of the regime’s power.

The aim, he said, is to significantly weaken those repression mechanisms so that change inside Iran may eventually become possible.

Netanyahu Urges Iranians To Rise Up

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also addressed the Iranian public directly in recent messages, suggesting that the moment for change may be approaching.

Writing on social media this week, Netanyahu said Israel would soon help create conditions allowing Iranians to “grasp your destiny.”

However, Israeli officials acknowledge that even if the regime were to collapse, it would likely take time.

Government briefings reported by Israeli media suggest that any fall of Iran’s leadership could take up to a year, long after the current military campaign has ended.

Iran’s Military Capabilities Hit Hard

Sa’ar claimed the joint US-Israeli campaign has already inflicted significant damage on Iran’s strategic capabilities.

He said both the country’s nuclear program and its ballistic missile infrastructure have been “badly damaged” by the strikes.

Facilities linked to uranium enrichment and weapons development were targeted along with missile stockpiles and production sites.

Israeli officials argue that delaying the operation could have allowed Iran to move key facilities deep underground and out of reach of air strikes.

Regime Still Threatening Protesters

Despite signs of pressure on the government, Iran’s leadership continues to warn citizens against anti-regime protests.

Authorities carried out a brutal crackdown earlier this year following demonstrations sparked by economic hardship and international sanctions.

Iranian officials say thousands died during the unrest, though independent monitoring groups believe the real death toll may be significantly higher.

For now, Sa’ar said Israel’s priority remains removing what it sees as long-term threats from Iran while avoiding a cycle of repeated wars in the region.

“We have no interest in entering a new war every year or two,” he said.

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