'Our Iran Mission Is Not Complete': Israel's Intelligence Agency Mossad's Bold Declaration Amid Middle East Conflict

Tel Aviv: The head of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, has once again issued a bold declaration regarding the overthrow of the Iranian government. Mossad Chief David Barnea stated that Israel did not expect its bombing of Iranian military, nuclear, and infrastructure sites to be sufficient to bring down Iran's 47-year-old clerical-led regime.

In a speech, he declared, "Our mission is not yet complete. Our obligation will be fulfilled only when this extremist regime is replaced by another. This regime—which seeks our destruction—must be wiped from the face of the earth."

What did the Mossad chief say?

He did not elaborate on the specific actions Mossad might take. While Israel has conducted covert operations within Iran for years, it is rare for Mossad to openly state that it seeks regime change. Barnea's remarks signal that Israelis still view Iran as a major threat, even though its military capabilities have been significantly degraded by a nearly five-week-long campaign conducted by the U.S.-Israel coalition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the airstrikes have ensured that the twin existential threats—ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons—have been neutralized.

How will Mossad's stance affect Iran war?

It is believed that this speech could further escalate tensions between US and Iranian officials as they attempt to extend the current ceasefire and negotiate a more permanent peace agreement, which is set to expire next week. Barnea is scheduled to step down from his post in June. The 'New York Times' reported last week that during closed-door discussions held at the White House in January, he suggested that his agency would be capable of mobilizing the Iranian opposition, inciting riots, and orchestrating other acts of rebellion that could potentially lead to the collapse of the Iranian government.