Israel confirms regime change goal in escalating conflict with Iran

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, announced an escalation in attacks on Iranian government targets in an effort to weaken Iran’s ruling regime.

His statement, according to online media sources, marks the first official confirmation that regime change is now a goal of the ongoing conflict, which has entered its second week.

The conflict intensified after an Iranian missile struck Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel.

Fortunately, due to prior alerts, all staff and patients had taken shelter, and no one was seriously hurt.

Still, the missile caused heavy damage, sparking outrage among Israeli officials and the public.

Katz described the strike as a war crime and vowed to hold Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, accountable.

In retaliation, Israeli air forces carried out fresh bombings on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavy-water reactor near Arak and the well-known Natanz nuclear complex.

These facilities are seen as potential threats because they can be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Israel warned local populations in advance, and Iranian state TV later confirmed there was no radiation risk following the strikes.

Initially, Israel claimed its military operations were focused solely on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized these were strategic strikes, although he has long been vocal about his hopes that Iran’s current government would eventually collapse.

Recent attacks, however, have extended beyond nuclear-related sites to include state institutions such as the national broadcaster.

Katz referred to these as “symbols of the regime.”

Despite the Israeli government’s stated intentions, many Iranian dissidents and human rights activists, many of whom have been jailed for opposing the regime, have criticized the military campaign.

They argue that foreign-led war is not a legitimate path to freedom for the Iranian people, especially as civilian casualties continue to rise.

Meanwhile, Iran launched a barrage of missiles across Israel.

At least 40 people were injured, including six in serious condition.

One missile hit the base of a tall building in Ramat Gan, near central Tel Aviv.

The blast heavily damaged surrounding structures and a small pizza shop, though thankfully no deaths were reported.

Residents, now accustomed to running for shelter, described the chaos.

“It felt like a bomb or an earthquake,” said 69-year-old Asher Adiv, who lives nearby and has Iranian heritage.

He urged the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow their government.

“We are not only fighting for Israel, but for the world,” he said, calling for U.S. support.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who initially remained distant from the conflict, has since increased the U.S. military presence in the region.

Reports suggest he is considering direct military action. Khamenei has warned that U.S. involvement beyond supporting Israel’s defense would result in “irreparable damage.”

On the ground in Israel, support for American intervention appears strong.

Anny Adiv, Asher’s wife who immigrated from Morocco, voiced her hopes that Trump would back Israel militarily.

“He has to help bomb the nuclear sites,” she said. Still, she expressed confidence that Israel could win even without U.S. forces.

“We are strong. Either we destroy the nuclear program, or they destroy us.”

The international community remains on high alert. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

However, it is currently the only non-nuclear-armed country enriching uranium to 60%, which is just below weapons-grade level.

The International Atomic Energy Agency recently censured Iran over its program.

Israel, meanwhile, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, although it has neither confirmed nor denied this and has never signed the international nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Amid growing tensions, several countries are planning to evacuate their citizens from both Iran and Israel.

Flights have begun to return tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad. Israel’s main airport has remained closed since the start of the strikes.

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