Trump 'unconvinced' by Israeli demands for regime change in Iran: Report
Israel 'might be more comfortable with regime change than we are,' official tells Axios
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US President Donald Trump remains "unconvinced" by Israeli demands for a regime change in Iran, American officials told Axios on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed the concept through media appearances in recent days. Trump, however, is skeptical of expanding military objectives beyond eliminating Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, according to the news outlet.
"They might be more comfortable with regime change than we are," a US official said, referring to Israel.
The report noted Trump rejected an Israeli operation to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last weekend. It does not mean Trump could not decide to "swoop in and do some gigantic action,” a US official said.
Israeli sources told Axios that regime change was not an official objective of the military campaign. It has not been approved by the security cabinet and the military has not received a formal directive to pursue it.
Still, the idea is gaining traction within Israeli circles, according to the report. Some officials believe that a regime change could pressure Iranian leadership to abandon its alleged nuclear ambitions to ensure survival.
Regional tensions have intensified since Friday following Israeli airstrikes across Iran targeting military and nuclear sites, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran.
