Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 28, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Ex-IDF intel chief: Goal is to dramatically weaken the regime and its military capabilities
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Former head of IDF Military Intelligence Amos Yadlin speaks in Tel Aviv on December 3, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Amos Yadlin, Israel’s former intelligence chief, says the aim of the current operation is to “dramatically weaken the regime and its military capabilities.”
He notes that “you cannot bring down a regime from the air,” but you can restrict what it can do, including to its own people.
He says on Israel’s Channel 12 that it may be that US President Donald Trump wants to carry out an attack whereby the Iranians will return to talks on its nuclear program, but that he is also plainly providing the promised “help” to Iranian protesters to bring down the regime.
He says there is no doubt that Iran will try to respond, but it faces the strategic decision of whether to fire back with everything it can, or try to get back to negotiations.
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Already a member? Log in here