ISLAMABAD: In a stunning escalation of geopolitical tensions, reportsemerging from Israeli media suggest that the United States and Israel arecontemplating a covert operation in Iran akin to the recent U.S.intervention in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro was captured andremoved from power. This potential move aims to arrest Iran’s SupremeLeader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and orchestrate a regime change, amid ongoingconflicts in the Middle East. The claims, if substantiated, could reshapethe region’s power dynamics, drawing parallels to historical U.S.-backedoperations and raising alarms about international stability.The U.S. operation in Venezuela, executed on January 3, 2026, involvedelite Delta Force units capturing Maduro in a swift three-hour raid, withno American casualties reported. According to statements from PresidentDonald Trump, the strike was conducted in coordination with U.S. lawenforcement to address drug trafficking charges against Maduro. Multipleexplosions were heard in Caracas, and Maduro was flown out of the countryfor prosecution. This action marks a bold assertion of U.S. influence inLatin America, reminiscent of past interventions, and has fueledspeculation about similar tactics being applied elsewhere.Israeli media outlets, including reports from The Times of Israel and IranInternational, have cited unnamed sources indicating that discussionsbetween U.S. and Israeli officials have intensified regarding Iran. Aformer Israeli diplomat stated that regime change in Iran is beingconsidered to prevent recurring conflicts, following Israel’s “12-day war”against Iran in June 2025, where U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites.These claims align with earlier revelations that Trump vetoed an Israeliproposal to assassinate Khamenei, opting instead for strategic pressure.Historical precedents underpin these developments, as the U.S. has a recordof supporting regime changes, such as the 1953 coup in Iran that oustedPrime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, orchestrated with British assistance.Recent Iranian accusations, including those from Tehran’s intelligenceagency, allege U.S. and Israeli plots to install a puppet government led byexiled opposition figures. Data from the Institute for the Study of Warhighlights ongoing U.S. support for potential Israeli strikes on Iran’sballistic missile programs, with Trump suggesting such actions in lateDecember 2025.Iran’s response to these threats has been defiant, with Supreme LeaderKhamenei ordering punishments for alleged Israeli agents within thecountry. Iranian officials claim that U.S.-Israeli collaboration aims todestabilize the Islamic Republic, pointing to increased military rhetoricfrom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a Fox News interview,Netanyahu warned that any ballistic missile attack on Israel would invitedevastating retaliation, potentially leading to regime collapse in Tehran.This rhetoric echoes the vulnerabilities exposed during the June 2025conflict.Opposition groups within Iran and in exile are divided on externalintervention, with some Tehran residents expressing a desire for freedom ontheir own terms, according to reports from The Guardian. Surveys fromIranian diaspora communities indicate mixed support for regime change, with45 percent favoring internal reforms over foreign-led operations, based ondata compiled by international think tanks. However, persistent economicsanctions and internal protests have weakened the regime’s grip, creatingopportunities for external actors.The potential operation raises significant legal and ethical questionsunder international law, as arresting a sitting head of state could violatesovereignty principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. Analystsfrom the Critical Threats Project note that such an action might provokewidespread regional backlash, including from Iran’s allies in Russia andChina. Economic data shows Iran’s oil exports have declined by 20 percentsince 2025 sanctions, exacerbating internal instability and making regimechange a tempting prospect for adversaries.Global reactions have been swift, with European Union officials urgingrestraint to avoid a broader Middle East war. U.S. allies in the Gulf, suchas Saudi Arabia, have quietly supported anti-Iran measures, according todiplomatic leaks. Military assessments estimate that a joint U.S.-Israelioperation would require advanced stealth technology and cyber capabilities,drawing from lessons in Venezuela where precision strikes minimizedcollateral damage. The risk of escalation remains high, with Iran’s missilearsenal posing a direct threat.As the world watches, the implications for nuclear non-proliferation areprofound, given Iran’s advanced uranium enrichment programs reported at 60percent purity levels by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Asuccessful regime change could halt these activities but might also inspirecopycat interventions elsewhere. Policymakers in Washington and Tel Avivmust weigh the short-term gains against long-term instability, ashistorical data from Iraq’s 2003 invasion demonstrates the perils ofpost-regime chaos.In conclusion, while Israeli media claims provide a glimpse into strategicdeliberations, concrete evidence of an imminent operation remains elusive.The Venezuela precedent serves as a blueprint, but Iran’s fortifieddefenses and ideological resilience present unique challenges.International diplomacy may yet avert crisis, but the shadow ofintervention looms large over the Persian Gulf.Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202512217820Tags:Iran, United States, Israel, Regime Changeogimageimage-name
Potential US Israel Operation Targets Iran s Supreme Leader for Regime Change
