Hello and welcome to today’s episode. Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran have raised a question: Is the goal really just to halt a nuclear threat, or to topple Tehran’s government? Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted he had “no choice” but to strike, yet the operation—codenamed “Rising Lion”—seems broader. While one enrichment site was hit hard, others were scarcely touched. At the same time, Israel has targeted Revolutionary Guard leaders and even considered plans against Supreme Leader Khamenei. As Netanyahu urged Iranians to “stand up,” experts warn that this may be about regime change as much as counter-proliferation. Behnam Ben Taleblu notes, “From the beginning, it was apparent … this had the potential to be something much more.” In Washington, the Trump administration teeters between supporting Israel’s ambitions and preserving diplomacy. Will Iran’s government collapse, or will this spark a prolonged conflict? Stay tuned as we follow developments in the Middle East.
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