Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities alone would not be enough to eliminate the “Iranian threat,” revealing that he had previously instructed the Israeli military and Mossad that the solution was to topple the Iranian regime.

Israeli security official warns that the likelihood of war with Iran is growing

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 7, Netanyahu said that as long as the Iranian regime remains in power, it will be able to rebuild its capabilities.

“A year ago, Iran was on the verge of destroying us with nuclear bombs. When I learned this, I took the initiative and launched an operation that we are carrying out alone,” he said.

“Some well-meaning people here told me, ‘Fine, but we need a green light from the United States.’ My response was: ‘There is no green light. We have no other choice. Our existence is not up for negotiation,’” Netanyahu added.

Netanyahu also dismissed a Financial Times report claiming that U.S. President Donald Trump had blocked a major Israeli attack on Iran planned for the weekend of October 10, describing the report as “inaccurate and biased.”

“I will inform Trump of what we intend to do, but I will not ask him for a green light to strike Iran,” he said.