Overview#
President Trump recently turned down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to jointly encourage protests in Iran. This decision highlights differing perspectives between the U.S. and Israel regarding how to approach regime change in Iran.
Concerns for Civilian Safety#
During a phone call, Trump expressed that urging Iranians to protest could be too dangerous for civilians. A U.S. official familiar with the conversation noted that Trump was particularly worried about the potential for violence, recalling past instances where many Iranian protesters were killed during unrest.
Diverging Goals#
The exchange between Trump and Netanyahu underscores a fundamental difference in their objectives. Netanyahu sees fostering a popular uprising in Iran as a key goal for Israel's national security. In contrast, U.S. officials indicate that Trump views regime change in Iran as a secondary aim, rather than a primary focus.
Context of the Proposal#
Netanyahu's suggestion came after Israeli military strikes resulted in the deaths of prominent Iranian leaders, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. Israeli officials claimed that targeting Soleimani was intended to weaken the Iranian regime and create conditions for a potential uprising, as he was known for suppressing protests. Netanyahu argued that the current instability within the Iranian regime presented a unique opportunity for further disruption.