Senior Israeli official: No factor is identified that can replace the regime in Iran

Some senior Israeli officials are expressing concern about the strategy of going to war with Iran, David Ignatius, the Washington Post’s senior commentator, reported today (Monday). According to the report, Israel and the United States are close to achieving their military goals.

The report is based mainly on “a conversation with an Israeli senior official who is familiar with the planning and strategy of the war in Iran”, but also mentions other factors. The same senior Israeli commented on the strategy for exiting the war: “I’m not sure it’s in our interest to fight until the regime is overthrown. Nobody wants an endless war.”

The same senior emphasized that Israel wants the overthrow of the regime, but that this is not a binding definition for the end: “Once the main military goals are achieved, Israel has achieved its goals.” He added that Iran will not surrender, but can send messages that accept a ceasefire on US terms. According to him, one must be careful of the price of war that continues to rise.

“We don’t see anyone who can replace the regime,” said the same official, noting that this is a joint assessment by Israeli and American intelligence. According to him, there is evidence that the regime’s command structure and centralization is being undermined, and there are initial signs of internal divisions – but there are no indications of an imminent collapse.

According to the Israeli source, the offensive by Israel and the United States in Iran is close to completing the military objectives. Meanwhile, the strikes are close to destroying what remains of Iran’s nuclear program after the US bombings in June, as well as its ballistic missile stockpile and weapons production facilities, along with the top ranks of the military, intelligence and internal security forces.

In a conversation with the Washington Post, the Israeli official emphasized that Israel should be careful not to drag the United States into an “endless war” in order to prevent its deterioration in American public opinion. “Israel is a reliable ally, not a burden,” he said.