Netanyahu tells Channel 14 Israel must finish campaign against Iran, says he ordered IDF and Mossad to pursue regime’s downfall

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14 that Israel must complete its campaign against Iran, repeating that he had instructed the IDF and Mossad to pursue the overthrow of the Iranian government and casting Tuesday’s election as a decision about Israel’s survival.

Netanyahu claimed Iranian media had published footage indicating that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had directed preparations for nuclear attacks on Israel and said Tehran had renewed its nuclear program. He described Iran’s leadership as wounded but still capable of a desperate attempt to attack Israel.

“Either they destroy us, or we destroy this poisonous cult,” Netanyahu said, arguing that Israel had completed “90% of the work” against Iran with “10% left.” He did not provide evidence for the nuclear directive he described.

Netanyahu said he had already instructed the Mossad and the military to work toward toppling Iran’s government, a directive he first publicly disclosed earlier this week. He also claimed several Arab countries were waiting for Israel to complete its campaign against Iran before joining the Abraham Accords.

The prime minister said Israeli security chiefs had warned that Iran was trying to interfere in the election and rejected reports of a dispute between him and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over possible action against Tehran as “nonsense.”

Netanyahu repeatedly tied Iran to the domestic vote, saying the opposition would not eliminate Tehran’s nuclear program and urging supporters not to stay home. He invoked President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his reelection campaign and told voters: “Don’t gamble with the fate of Israel.”

He also accused his opponents of relying on an alliance between the left and Islamist parties, claiming such political cooperation was damaging European countries and could threaten Israel. Netanyahu further alleged that an opposition government would enable “Arab autonomy” in the Galilee and Negev and withdraw from Israeli-held security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.

Israelis vote on Oct. 27 in a closely contested election in which Netanyahu has made Iran and national security central to his campaign.