Trump Privately Rejects Netanyahu Call for Iran Uprising
Axios, citing two U.S. officials and an Israeli source, reports that during a call last week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Donald Trump to join him in a coordinated public appeal for Iranians to flood the streets against their government, arguing that recent Israeli assassinations had thrown the regime into disarray. Trump refused, reportedly saying, "Why the hell should we tell people to take to the streets when they'll just get mowed down," reflecting concern that an explicit U.S. call could trigger mass killings and suggesting he views regime change as a 'bonus' rather than a primary war objective. Netanyahu went ahead with his own Festival of Fire message telling Iranians that Israeli aircraft were striking 'terrorist operatives' to let them celebrate and that 'we are watching from above,' but very few Iranians turned out, which U.S. and Israeli officials attribute to deep fear of repression after thousands were killed in pre‑war protests. Israel’s ambassador in Washington, Yechiel Leiter, later told CNN that Israel still aims to degrade the regime until it can no longer crush opposition, hoping this will spark a domestic 'combustion point' where 'the boots on the ground have to be Iranian boots.' The account underscores a growing strategic rift: Netanyahu is pushing hard for conditions that might topple Tehran, while Trump is simultaneously weighing a diplomatic endgame that leaves a weakened regime in place, a gap that is drawing sharp debate among analysts and on social media over whether Washington is backing into another open‑ended confrontation without a clear political finish line.
📌 Key Facts
- Axios reports Netanyahu asked Trump last week to issue a joint public call for Iranians to 'take to the streets' after Israeli strikes killed Ali Larijani and Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani.
- A U.S. official says Trump rejected the idea, warning, 'Why the hell should we tell people to take to the streets when they'll just get mowed down.'
- Netanyahu still issued a public Festival of Fire message urging Iranians to celebrate under Israeli air cover, but turnout was minimal, which officials attribute to fear of regime crackdowns.
- Israel’s ambassador Yechiel Leiter told CNN that Israel’s strategy is to degrade the regime until it collapses, insisting that any ground effort must be carried by Iranians themselves.
- Axios says Trump is exploring a diplomatic path that would leave a weakened Iranian regime in place, while Netanyahu is highly skeptical a satisfactory deal is achievable soon.
📊 Relevant Data
Surveys conducted in 2026 indicate that 70-80% of Iranians across provinces, rural and urban areas, age groups, and genders would not vote for the Islamic Republic, with 89% supporting a democratic political system.
Iran protests 2026: our surveys show Iranians agree more on regime change than what might come next — The Conversation
The Iranian diaspora is estimated at 4-7 million people worldwide, formed in waves since 1979 due to political repression, with many holding anti-regime views and some expressing pro-Israel sentiments.
The new Iran will have a crucial asset: Its diaspora — Le Monde
The U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 prompted Iran to expand its nuclear activities, exceed agreement limits, and contribute to heightened nuclear escalation and regional tensions.
Public Opinion and the Iran Nuclear Threat: Lessons from the NS — University of Oklahoma
Ethnic minorities in Iran, comprising about 40% of the population (e.g., Kurds at 10%, Azeris at 16%, Baluchis at 2-3%), face under-investment in their regions and disproportionate repression during protests, with protests spreading to these groups in 2026 despite initial skepticism.
Iran's protests have spread across provinces, despite skepticism and concern among ethnic groups — The Conversation
Iran experiences annual brain drain of 150,000-180,000 highly educated individuals, driven by economic hardship, lack of social freedom, and political repression, contributing to ongoing migration waves from 2015-2026.
The Iranian regime is not its people — JNS.org
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