Israel’s War Aims: Curb Iran’s Missile Threat, Not Topple Its Regime

Israeli defense sources say the IDF’s primary objective in the Iran war is to substantially reduce Iran’s ballistic missile threat and military capabilities, not to forcibly topple the regime. While the military would welcome conditions that could enable regime change, it maintains that military action alone cannot guarantee it. Public messaging has emphasized a narrowed mission, with a major focus on destroying launcher capabilities to prevent missile buildup, even as discussions about regime change remain cautiously framed.