Netanyahu Says He Ordered Israeli Forces to Pursue Overthrow of Iran's Government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he has directed the Israel Defense Forces, Mossad and other security branches to pursue the overthrow of Iran's government, calling it the only way to end the nuclear threat from Tehran. Speaking at an IDF officer course graduation ceremony, he said Iran resumed its nuclear program after Operation Rising Lion, trying to bury it deep beneath a mountain, which prompted the joint Israeli-U.S. Operation Roaring Lion. He said that operation's opening strike killed Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28. Netanyahu accused his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, of following his father's path toward nuclear weapons. He also said President Donald Trump supports toppling the regime and is ready to finish the job, but only together with Israel. Trump and Netanyahu have been suggesting a new attack on Iran is possible.

Left-leaning outlets framed the story differently. NPR asked whether the U.S. and Israel are close to a new attack on Iran, while The New York Times focused on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank hoping an Israeli election removes Netanyahu. The New York Post, on the right, led with Netanyahu's directive and quoted him at length. Alternative / independent outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and right-leaning outlets had.