Prime Minister Netanyahu points to Syria’s collapse as evidence of Iran’s failing influence; Trump hints at preemptive action against Tehran. Syria lacks air defenses to prevent a strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stark message to the Iranian people and their leadership, capitalizing on the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria to highlight what he called Iran’s “endless failures” across the region. Netanyahu’s speech, coupled with President Trump’s recent warnings of preemptive action against Iran, signals an escalation in rhetoric that could have significant implications for the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s Message to the Iranian People
In a video message addressed directly to Iranians, Netanyahu criticized the regime’s financial and ideological investments in regional terror organizations and failed states, saying, “Your oppressors spent over $30 billion propping up Assad in Syria. Today, his regime collapsed into the dust after just 11 days of fighting.”
Netanyahu detailed Iran’s expenditure on Hezbollah and Hamas, emphasizing their losses in recent weeks. “Over $20 billion went into Hezbollah, whose leaders and fighters have been decimated, their rockets destroyed. Billions were funneled into Hamas, whose regime lies in ruins. The billions your oppressors stole from you truly went up in smoke,” he said.
The Prime Minister praised the resilience of the Iranian people, urging them to rise against their leaders. “The regime is terrified of you, the people of Iran. Women, Life, Freedom—Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. That is the future of Iran,” he stated, expressing optimism for a democratic and peaceful Iran.
Implications of Syria’s Collapse for Iran
The fall of Assad’s regime has dealt a significant blow to Iran’s regional ambitions. Assad’s Syria was a cornerstone of Tehran’s so-called “axis of resistance,” providing a critical link to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Without Assad, Iran’s influence in the Levant is severely diminished.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pointed to the power vacuum in Syria as a strategic opportunity. “The collapse of Assad’s regime underscores the fragility of Iran’s alliances. They are losing their grip, and this is the time to ensure they cannot rebuild,” Gallant said in a press briefing.
Iran has heavily relied on Syria as a staging ground for proxy operations and the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes in Syria have intensified, targeting weapons convoys and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operatives. According to Israeli sources, these strikes have left Iran with few operational footholds in Syria.
The Trump Factor: Preemptive Action on the Table?
Adding to the pressure, former U.S. President Donald Trump, likely returning to office in January, has hinted at a preemptive strike on Iran. Speaking earlier this week, Trump declared, “Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional aggression are unacceptable. If they continue on this path, they will face consequences like never before.”
Trump’s rhetoric aligns with Netanyahu’s strategy of keeping maximum pressure on Tehran. Israeli military analysts note that with Assad’s fall, Iran’s air defense systems in the region are severely compromised, leaving it vulnerable to a coordinated attack by Israel and its allies.
The Risk of Escalation
While Israel’s leadership is framing Syria’s collapse as a victory, analysts caution that the loss of Assad’s regime could push Iran to adopt more desperate measures. “Iran is backed into a corner, and that’s when regimes like this are at their most dangerous,” said Brigadier General (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, a former director of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Research Division.
Hezbollah, though significantly weakened, could attempt a retaliation to distract from Iran’s failures. Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear program continues to progress, posing a broader threat.
Netanyahu dismissed such risks, doubling down on Israel’s proactive stance. “We will not allow Iran to recover from its losses. They have been exposed as weak, and we will ensure they cannot rise again,” he stated.
Looking Ahead
The collapse of Assad’s regime has upended the regional balance, presenting both opportunities and challenges. For Israel, the strategic dismantling of Iran’s network of proxies and alliances is a significant achievement, but it comes with the risk of a broader conflict.
Netanyahu’s appeal to the Iranian people reflects an understanding that lasting change in the region will require internal upheaval in Tehran. “The people of Iran deserve better,” he said. “They deserve freedom, progress, and peace—and we will stand with them as they fight for it.”
Why telling ahead the military plans? So the Enemy could prepare? In that October 7 the Enemy was much wiser…They struck without notice and too succesfully, painfully, right?
Why not hitting back more efficiently without declarations? I think declaring ahead an action is pure foolishness. Sorry for straigforwardness.
„He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour Than he that flattereth with the tongue.”
Proverbs 28:23