High Hopes: New Revelations on the Plan to Change the Regime in Iran

An investigation reveals Israel's 'Roar of the Lion' plan to change the regime in Iran, led by Netanyahu and the Mossad, involving the recruitment of former Iranian President Ahmadinejad and a Kurdish invasion. The official goal was 'creating conditions for regime change,' but in practice it was an attempt at a quick overthrow. The IDF objected, and the plan collapsed after an American veto on the Kurdish invasion. The result: heavy damage to Iran but the regime survived, and Israel suffered political erosion.

A wide-ranging investigation reveals the 'Roar of the Lion' plan – the most ambitious operation Israel tried to advance: regime change in Iran. Led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Mossad, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was recruited as an agent, and a full-scale Kurdish invasion was planned. The official goal, as a compromise with the IDF, was 'creating conditions for regime change,' but ministers understood it was heading for a quick overthrow. The IDF opposed throughout, warning of low chances of success. After Trump's veto on the Kurdish invasion, Netanyahu forced an improvised plan. The result: heavy damage to Iran, but the regime survived, and Israel suffered erosion in its standing in the US. The investigation points to a systemic failure: lack of agreement between the political echelon, the IDF, and the Mossad on the essence of the goal and its feasibility.