Mossad reportedly removes two senior officers over botched Iran regime change plan

Israel's Mossad, the country's foreign intelligence service, has reportedly removed two senior officials connected to a failed plan to overthrow Iran's regime. According to a report by Israel's Channel 12, the leaders of the Iran Division and the Intelligence Directorate were among those dismissed. However, both individuals are expected to continue their service within the agency.

The news follows US President Donald Trump's decision to halt large-scale strikes on Iran, stating a desire for the possibility of negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This move has raised concerns in Israel about potential gains Tehran could make in the waterway, despite the significant damage sustained during the war.

Haaretz, an Israeli outlet, quoted a source critical of the Mossad reshuffle, stating that Director General Roman Gofman supported the regime change plan during his tenure as military secretary to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gofman reportedly dismissed the officials to distance Netanyahu from responsibility for the failed attempt to topple the Iranian government.

Channel 12 reported that agency officials were in disbelief over the sacking. In March, The New York Times had revealed that Mossad Director David Barnea had told Netanyahu and senior US administration officials that his agency could ignite an uprising leading to Iran's collapse within days. The plan, involving close coordination between Israel and the US, envisioned a ground invasion by Kurdish forces, followed by Israeli and US jets providing air support.

The plan also included Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former Iranian president who was opposed to the US and Israel, as the country's new leader. Overthrowing the Iranian regime has been a long-standing priority for Netanyahu, who sought US support for the goal despite the high risks such a war would pose to the region and the global economy.

A majority of Israelis believed Iran posed an existential threat, mainly due to its nuclear program and its support for regional proxy groups and missile programs used in strikes across the region. Gofman, who assumed his position on June 2, faced a controversial start to his time at the agency, with legal objections and allegations of unfit conduct during his military career. He had previously served as Netanyahu's military secretary.