Israel has expanded its military campaign against Iran by targeting the country's internal security services, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes as an effort to destabilize the government and encourage a popular uprising. The strikes have included the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and senior security official Ali Larijani, along with sustained bombing of forces responsible for suppressing anti-government protests.

Mr. Netanyahu has said the attacks have delivered 'crushing blows' to Iran's security apparatus and created 'optimal' conditions for Iranians to seek freedom. He has publicly urged the Iranian people to rise up, saying Israel is standing beside them but that change ultimately depends on their actions.

Some former Israeli military officials have questioned the feasibility of this strategy, arguing that Iran's security services are too entrenched and powerful to be dismantled by airstrikes alone. Other experts contend that while military pressure may weaken the regime, meaningful change would require a broad domestic uprising beyond the impact of external attacks.