Israel Can Support the People of Iran -- Analysis
- Meir Javedanfar
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
According to the Sunday Times, since the start of the recent uprising on December 28, 2025, the regime in Tehran has killed 30,000 while injuring 330,000 Iranians.
In the last half a millennium of Iran's history, no regime has killed and injured so many Iranians in such a short time. What makes the situation more tragic is that this number could rise.
The recent uprising, more than ever, has convinced Iranians that the current regime has no legitimacy. That it must be overthrown. The people of Israel share this common goal, as explained in my last article.
Ultimately, the decision to overthrow the Khamenei regime rests with the people of Iran. Israel cannot overthrow the regime for them. But can Israel help Iranians achieve this goal?
Israeli strategic support for Iranians
The best Israel can do is to cooperate with the United States against the leadership of Iran. US President Donald Trump has been the most hostile POTUS against the Khamenei regime in recent history.
The Iranian supreme leader has done much to help bring this about. For example, on January 17th, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei publicly called Trump a “criminal.”
This public insult came a day after President Trump had thanked the Iranian leadership for canceling the execution of 800 Iranian prisoners. Perhaps the Iranian supreme leader does not know that Trump does not handle personal insults well. This is besides an Iranian plot to kill Trump, which was publicized in November 2024.
Trump may or may not ultimately decide to overthrow the Iranian regime.
It is also not clear that he can. Yet still, the US has far more at its disposal to deal directly with the Iranian leadership than Israel. The US military is far stronger than that of Israel, as is the US global diplomatic influence and economic prowess. It is the US that can convince the international banks to impose even tougher sanctions against the Iranian regime and to isolate its diplomats. Not Israel.
In terms of launching a military strike, Israel’s Iran policy is beholden to Trump. Without Trump’s approval, Israel can not do this.
Unmissable opportunity for Israel?
If the Iranian regime attacks Israel in retaliation for a U.S attack, that would provide Israel with an important opportunity. Israel would not be short of targets that are vital to its own immediate security interests. Chief among them is Iran’s missile program. A recent open-source study of satellite imagery in the U.S concluded that “Israel’s strike on Iran’s missile program during Operation Rising Lion had significant limitations.” In other words, more missile production sites and facilities still need to be attacked. Otherwise, Iran could soon expand its monthly missile production numbers.
Israel could also use the opportunity to attack installations and commanders of Iranian security forces who have taken part in the recent killing of Iranian protesters.
In March 1979, a month after the Shah was overthrown, an article in Foreign Policy magazine stated Iranians viewed the Shah’s regime as an American puppet. That his regime “reflected American interests as faithfully as Vidkun Quisling's puppet government in Norway reflected the interests of Nazi Germany in World War II."
Yet it's ironic to note that, unlike the late Shah, it is the Ayatollah’s regime that has brought foreigners (from Iraq and Afghanistan) to kill and maim Iranian protesters. In other words, it is the post-revolutionary Ayatollah’s regime that depends on foreign forces for its survival, not the Shah. The IRGC is now using these foreign forces, alongside its own Baseej militia on Iran’s streets to protect the Khamenei regime. They are doing so with extreme brutality.
Most Iranians would positively view Israeli attacks against bases hosting these foreign militias.
No rallying around the flag
It is extremely unlikely that Iranians would rally around the flag in case of an Israeli strike against Iranian targets, leaders and personnel.
Since many Iranians view them as foreigners ruling Iran, especially Iran’s own leaders. This is a view that has been growing steadily over the years among Iranians because of the regime’s extreme cruelty towards them. They believe that no Iranian leader, with even a jot of affection for his people, would loot Iran and abuse its citizens so brazenly for so long.
Consequently, Iran’s public would view an Israeli attack against Iran’s security forces and leadership as a foreign country attacking a foreign body ruling over Iran.
Israel could also assist the Iranian protesters by publicizing the identity of regime officials who have been behind the recent crackdown and massacres. Publicizing their identity could deter them from continuing in their role. Because they would fear identification and arrest in case the regime falls.
Dr. Meir Javedanfar is an Iranian-Israeli lecturer, author, and commentator. He teaches various Iran-related courses at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel.
His X handle @Meirja.