Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Wednesday that Israel is on the brink of dismantling Iran’s Islamic Republic, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate. During his visit to Israeli troops on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, Netanyahu emphasized that while there remains work to be done, the primary goal is to topple what he referred to as Iran’s “terror regime.” He expressed confidence that Iran’s extensive regional network of allies would eventually disintegrate.
Accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu’s visit comes as Israeli forces maintain their presence in southern Syria following the fall of the long-time Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, in December 2024. These forces have occupied areas that were once part of a UN-monitored buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian troops near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s position against allowing a “terrorist army” to establish a foothold along its border.
In response to Assad’s fall, Israel has launched numerous strikes in Syria and has repeatedly deployed forces into Syrian territory, actions that Damascus has condemned as violations of Syria’s sovereignty. Despite these criticisms, Israel insists on maintaining its security zone and is advocating for an expanded demilitarized area in southern Syria. This military posture underscores Israel’s strategic intent to safeguard its borders.
Netanyahu’s statements about Iran coincide with the broader confrontation between Tehran and Washington over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where both nations have exchanged hostilities amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict. This increased tension highlights the complex and volatile dynamics at play in the region, with the Strait of Hormuz being a focal point of geopolitical friction.