A U.S. embassy dispatch reveals Israel’s assessment that the Iranian regime is prepared to “fight to the end” and would brutally suppress mass protests.
Israeli Assessment of Potential Uprising
The Washington Post reported that a diplomatic dispatch from the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem conveyed Israel’s assessment that the Iranian regime “is not breaking” and is prepared “to fight to the end,” despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28th and ongoing missile strikes and bombings by the U.S. and Israel.
According to the assessment cited by diplomats, if Iranians were to return to the streets in large numbers, it would result in a “massacre” and “people will be murdered” because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s main armed force, “has the upper hand.”
Hope for Revolt and U.S. Support
Despite the grim forecasts, Israeli officials reportedly expressed hope for a revolt and urged the United States to prepare to support protesters if it occurs. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have repeatedly called for the overthrow of the Iranian government.
Israeli Strikes Against Iranian Regime Structures
Israeli forces have been conducting attacks against the regime’s leadership and military structures for two weeks, targeting local headquarters and leaders of the Revolutionary Guard. On Monday, a commander of the Basij paramilitary forces, known for brutal repression of opposition members, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike.
Trump’s Assessment and Shifting U.S. Policy
In recent days, Trump has repeatedly acknowledged that he is not surprised that an uprising has not yet occurred, given the regime’s threats to shoot demonstrators. Trump also assessed in a Friday interview with Fox News that it will ultimately happen, but not in the near future. However, administration officials reportedly stated they are no longer seeking to overthrow the current ruling system in Iran.
Israeli Embassy Comments on Iranian Opposition
The Israeli embassy in the U.S. commented on the newspaper’s reports and emphasized that Iranians have repeatedly risked their lives by taking to the streets against the authorities, including in January. The embassy added that “There are opposition groups that have been operating independently for years to overthrow the regime.”
