'Overthrow Iranian regime': Netanyahu lays out directive to IDF, Mossad at officer ceremony

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF and Mossad to overthrow the Iranian regime."My directive to the IDF, the Mossad, and the defense establishment... [is] to overthrow the regime in Iran," the prime minister said at the graduation ceremony for IDF officer cadets on Wednesday afternoon."The Iranian regime still has not learned its lesson. [Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah] Mojtaba Khamenei decided to follow in his father's footsteps and has released the safety catch, and Iran is once again trying to develop weapons of death," said the prime minister."Iran is once again attempting to develop a nuclear bomb."Israel has stepped up its preparations for potential strikes against the Islamic regime in recent weeks, with conflicting reports saying that the IDF was planning to strike Iran on October 10 before being reeled in by US President Donald Trump.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at an IDF Officer cadet graduation ceremony, October 21, 2026. (Credit: Itay Ben-On/GPO, Ben Peretz/GPO)Netanyahu: 'We will eliminate Hamas, we will eliminate Hezbollah'Netanyahu continued, saying, "As long as they stand on their feet, even if they are silent, as I said, even if they still have hope, these extremists, these fanatics, they have one primary goal, first of all, the death of Israel, and then the death of the United States, but first of all, the death of Israel."And so, as long as they are here, as long as they are willing to join a threatening and terrible weapon, the State of Israel is in existential danger. And our role, the role of all of us, is to save the nation. My good friend, President Trump, also believes that this is the only way. "He said a few days ago, 'We are ready to finish the job, to finish the job, he said. We are ready to finish the job, but we will do it only with you, the State of Israel.' And this is exactly what we will do..."We will eliminate Hamas, and we will eliminate Hezbollah. And I can tell you that many of our neighbors are prepared for this, also in Lebanon, also in Gaza, certainly in Iran."IDF ceremony hosts speeches by IDF, government officialsThe speech was not broadcast live because election propaganda laws restrict politicians from using IDF ceremonies or active-duty troops for political messaging during election season.Prior to the ceremony, the IDF approached Attorney-General Baharav-Miara to ensure the event would not be exploited for political propaganda during speeches by politicians, namely Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, according to Army Radio.Speeches were also given at the IDF Officer Candidate School by senior military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addresses new officersIDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, addressing the graduates, quoted the commander of the Palmach Yigal Allon, who said during the War of Independence, "There is no other path before us but war immediately, lest the enemy strikes first... A great and decisive battle lies before us. Every unit must fight relentlessly with momentum, daring, and devotion."Zamir called the newly minted officers "successors" to the 1948 generation, and entrusted them with carrying out their duties morally, professionally, and to defeat Israel's enemies."We will not allow our enemies to recover and hold their heads high," he continued."We will continue to act against enemies and threats, thwarting them as they emerge. Even now, the IDF remains in a state of high, multi-arena readiness against any attempt by the enemy to harm us."The chief of staff laid out an "operational duty" and maxim for the graduates to embody, quoting Psalm 18:37: "I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I will not turn back until they are consumed."Zamir said, "The mission of defending the State of Israel is among the noblest duties and greatest callings a person can undertake. It belongs to all of us and is greater than any controversy. The IDF is the people's army."Katz: Iran will burnDefense Minister Israel Katz addressed the graduates and threatened, "If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!"Katz warned that in recent days, Iran and its proxies have undertaken actions aimed at undermining the election in Israel.He continued, saying, "The Iranian regime is at its weakest point ever, and we recognize that this weakness can lead it to take the most extreme steps, even against the State of Israel. Our message to the Iranian regime is clear. We recognize your attempts. We are ready to look at them, and we are ready to face you with all our might. If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will win. אם איראן תתקוף את ישראל - איראן תבער! https://t.co/P8orQarjWX— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 21, 2026"Whoever attacks us, before or after the elections, whoever hurts IDF soldiers or citizens of Israel, will pay the heaviest price. Together with the IDF and all security forces, we will continue to act to defend the state at all times and wherever necessary."