Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, that Israel is actively working to overthrow the government of Iran. Speaking in an interview with the Hebrew channel of i24News, Netanyahu asserted that all state systems under his direction are focused on bringing down the Iranian regime, declaring that the administration in Tehran is already on its last legs.
Netanyahu's declaration on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, follows a renewed exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran. United States forces launched airstrikes on Iranian territory on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The active phase of the current conflict commenced on February 28, 2026, with joint US and Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian military infrastructure and resulted in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel, regional US bases, and Arab nations, while closing the critical shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz.
Concurrently, severe economic pressure has mounted inside Iran. According to financial exchange data from Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the Iranian rial plummeted to a record low of 2.20 million rials per US dollar. This figure represents a nearly 10 percent depreciation from the previous record low of 2.02 million rials recorded on August 25, 2026. The specific mechanical systems or covert operations Israel intends to employ to achieve regime change were not disclosed during the interview.
The push for regime change has drawn sharp rebukes from multilateral bodies and regional powers. On September 1, 2026, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes India, China, and Russia, issued the Bishkek declaration condemning what it termed the Netanyahu-Trump war on Iran. The declaration expressed deep concern over strikes on Iranian territory and reaffirmed support for national sovereignty and diplomatic resolution.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement on September 1, 2026, strongly condemning the aggressive actions taken by the United States and reaffirming the Islamic Republic's determination to defend its territorial integrity. In contrast, US President Donald Trump previously suggested a different political endpoint, stating in March 2026 that the military campaign was very much complete and that Israel should not expect a prolonged war.
For regional stability in the Middle East, Prime Minister Netanyahu's explicit objective of regime change sharply elevates the probability of a broader cross-border escalation. For the government and population of Iran, the declared intent represents an existential escalation that deepens severe economic hardship for ordinary citizens facing currency collapse. For international diplomacy, the stance deepens fractures among global powers, putting countries like India, which co-signed the Bishkek declaration, at odds with the stated war aims of Washington and Jerusalem.
