Netanyahu on Syria visit says ‘very close’ to toppling Iran’s Islamic republic

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops stationed in southern Syria on Wednesday, declaring that Iran's Islamic republic was on the brink of collapse. The Israeli leader emphasized that the main objective was to topple the terror regime in Iran, stating that they were very close to achieving this goal. Netanyahu's comments came as Israel and Iran continued to be embroiled in a stalemate over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The Syrian side of Mount Hermon, bordering Israel and Syria, is where Netanyahu delivered his remarks, alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israel has been maintaining a security zone in southern Syria since the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. This zone replaced a buffer zone previously patrolled by the United Nations to separate Israeli and Syrian forces in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 1974.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not permit any terrorist army to establish itself near its border. However, Damascus denounced Netanyahu's visit as a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria since the fall of Assad, and has also made numerous incursions into Syrian territory.

Officials have consistently vowed to keep troops in the security zone, aiming to create a more extensive demilitarized area in Syria.