[Text/Fox News Liu Chenghui] On June 15th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave his first interview after the current round of conflict between Israel and Iran. He told Fox News that military strikes by Israel against Iran might lead to a regime change in Iran, and that Israel would spare no effort to eliminate the "survival threat" posed by Iran. He said that although the current goal of the Israeli army is to eliminate Iran's missile and nuclear threats, regime change "could certainly be a result," as the Iranian regime is "very fragile."

Netanyahu also stated that intelligence showed Iran intended to transfer nuclear weapons to the Houthi armed group and had planned to assassinate former US President Trump.

Netanyahu defended Israel's actions against Iran in the program. He told Fox News host that the Iranian regime viewed Trump as a threat to its nuclear program and was actively plotting to assassinate him.

"They wanted to kill him. He is the number one enemy. He is a resolute leader. He never followed the old path of others, which essentially provided them with uranium enrichment, the way to make nuclear bombs, along with tens of billions of dollars."

Netanyahu praised Trump for tearing up the "false" Iran nuclear deal and killing Soleimani. He said that Trump was very tough on the issue of Iran not having nuclear weapons, so in the eyes of Iran, he was "the number one enemy."

Netanyahu said that Israel faces an "imminent threat" of nuclear destruction. In such a "last moment," there is no choice but to take radical actions.

"First, Iran is eager to weaponize enriched uranium to make atomic bombs and has clearly declared its intention to destroy us. Second, they are eager to increase the capability of their ballistic missile arsenal, capable of having 3,600 weapons per year... within three years reaching 10,000 ballistic missiles weighing one ton each, flying at six times the speed toward our cities... then within 26 years, reaching 20,000. No country can withstand this, especially not Israel, so we must act."

Netanyahu gives an interview to Fox News

Netanyahu said that through this, Israel is not only protecting itself but also protecting the world.

He said, "The Iranians also intend to transfer nuclear weapons to the Houthi armed group. Our intelligence shows that they have already begun developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States."

He emphasized that Israel will do everything possible to eliminate the "survival threat" posed by Iran, and that military strikes against Iran by Israel might lead to a regime change in Iran.

When asked by the host whether the goal of this military action included promoting a regime change in Iran, Netanyahu said, "This could certainly become a result, because the Iranian regime is very fragile."

He said, "We will do everything necessary to achieve our dual goals of eliminating two survival threats - nuclear threats and ballistic missile threats."

In response to reports from Reuters about Trump vetoing Israel's plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, Netanyahu responded, "I won't comment on that."

However, he said that he had informed Trump about the military action on the 13th in advance, and that American pilots were shooting down Iranian drones heading toward Israel.

Reuters reported on the 15th, citing two American officials familiar with the matter, that in recent days, Israel had informed the U.S. government of a credible plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, and that Trump vetoed (vetoed) Israel's proposal to kill Khamenei. After being briefed on the plan, the White House clearly conveyed to Israeli officials that Trump opposed Israel taking this action.

Some foreign media previously analyzed that the Israeli attack on Iran, on the surface, aimed to disrupt Iran's nuclear program and slow down the development of nuclear weapons, but the scale of the attack, the choice of targets, and the statements of Israeli politicians revealed its long-term ambition might be to overthrow the Iranian regime.

Netanyahu is not the first to convey the idea of regime change in Iran. On the night of the 13th, he delivered a public speech directly addressing the Iranian people, calling on them to "stand up for your freedom" and oppose the regime led by Supreme Leader Khamenei.

He said, "Israel's goal in this operation is to eliminate the nuclear and missile threats posed by the Islamic regime to us. While achieving our goals, we are also clearing the way for your freedom. This regime does not know what attacked them and does not know what strikes they will suffer next."

However, some experts pointed out that it may be difficult for Israel alone to completely destroy Iran's nuclear facilities, and the ruling class and most Shia Muslims in Iran have long been hostile towards Israel. It remains questionable whether Netanyahu can successfully "stir up the masses to overthrow the regime."

On the other hand, while the U.S. government tacitly allowed the attacks by Israel, it did not indicate seeking regime change in Iran. Even if the Iranian regime were to change, a new successor might be more extreme, thus bringing further unpredictable risks.

The Washington Post of the United States believed that Netanyahu temporarily escaped political difficulties through the strike on Iran, consolidating his domestic position. However, analysts pointed out that if he wants to maintain public support, he must ensure that this operation achieves obvious results and avoids being drawn into a long war, with future political impacts still difficult to predict. The key lies in whether Israel can strategically succeed.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516350856049033768/

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