Israel's Mossad reportedly fired two senior officials after plan to topple Iranian govt failed: What we know
Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad's chief, Roman Gofman, reportedly dismissed two senior intelligence officials after a plan to topple Iran's government either failed or never
Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad's chief, Roman Gofman, reportedly dismissed two senior intelligence officials after a plan to topple Iran's government either failed or never advanced to the operational stage. Anadolu Agency, citing Israel's Channel 12, said the officials removed were the recently appointed head of Mossad's intelligence directorate and the chief of the agency's Iran division. Neither official was identified. Israel planned to topple Iranian government: What we know The broadcaster reported that the plan had been developed in coordination with the United States to support internal efforts against the Iranian government, including assistance to opposition groups backed by extensive Israeli-US military air cover. However, citing intelligence assessments, Channel 12 said on Thursday (local time) that the proposal either failed or never reached the operational stage. It also cited international reports claiming the proposal included scenarios for replacing Iran's leadership and coordinating with US officials on a possible "post-regime" phase. The plan reportedly never progressed beyond its initial phase, was eventually shelved, and those involved were held accountable.
Separately, sources told the broadcaster that the two officials had reportedly been at odds with Mossad chief Roman Gofman from the outset. Their dismissal was also described as part of a broader restructuring of the agency's leadership and priorities, particularly regarding Iran. Also Read | Mossad tried to recruit Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to install him as Iran’s new leader Earlier in March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that toppling Iran's Islamic Republic government would be difficult, saying it was "not certain that this will happen." The report comes as the US and Iran continue to trade strikes despite signing an interim ceasefire agreement in June. US and Iran resume hostilities On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement and began negotiations toward a final deal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. However, roughly two weeks after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed the agreement, the two sides resumed hostilities, accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
Since July, Trump has repeatedly hinted at renewed diplomatic engagement, saying on several occasions that the conflict would end soon. Tehran, however, has denied negotiating with Washington and has continued to launch attacks on "hostile targets" in the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, Trump announced a halt in strikes against Tehran after he reportedly received requests from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington after spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said, "I'm not looking to kill people because people die... we don't want that... I asked Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince. I said, would you rather have us do this or not? They said, we would much prefer a deal... Because you don't know where these attacks lead. I mean, they will be flooded with people pouring into their country, and it will be a disaster.
The BriefWire