Israel sought to bring about regime change in its 12-day war with Iran, but its failure to achieve that goal proves Tehran won the conflict, a senior Iranian official said on Sunday.
“The Zionist regime’s goal was not limited to nuclear facilities and the nuclear program... They were certainly pursuing broader strategic objectives — seeking regime change and the collapse of the system and structure,” said Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs.
Speaking in a televised interview, Gharibabadi said Israel did not achieve its strategic goals as it failed to topple Iran’s ruling system, arguing that the war’s outcome should be judged by objectives met, not battlefield damage.
“If we look at the issue from this angle — that this was the key strategic goal of the Zionist regime — then assessing who won or lost in this war cannot be based on casualty numbers, buildings destroyed, or damaged infrastructure,” he said.
“You have to ask whether either side achieved its strategic objectives.”
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country's military campaign against Iran was giving its people a chance to topple the Islamic Republic.
"A light has been lit—carry it to freedom,” Netanyahu told Iran International's anchor Pouria Zeraati on June 16. “This is the time. Your hour of freedom is near—it’s happening now.”
Netanyahu framed Israel’s campaign as both a defensive war and an opportunity for the leadership in Tehran to be overthrown. “This is evil against good, and it's time for good people to stand up with the good, the good people of Iran, and good people everywhere against this madness foisted on all of us by this radical tyranny. It's about to end."
