In the ongoing conflict with Iran, there is no turning back, and Israel, along with the U.S., will attempt to achieve regime change in Iran, stated Maris Andjans, director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies and associate professor at the Stradins University in Riga, to the LETA agency.
He noted that the name of the operation given by the Pentagon, "Epic Wrath," also says a lot.
Andjans reminded that in June of last year, there was a 12-day war when Israel struck Iran, and the U.S. joined in by attacking Iranian nuclear facilities. This war ended rather quickly at the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I think this war will be much more serious," Andjans said.
He pointed out that it is unlikely to be a ground war, but everything will depend on Iran. Andjans noted that Iran has shown stubbornness in the recent negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
He also recalled the large-scale protests of the population in Iran at the end of last year and the beginning of this year demanding regime change. In his opinion, this has also inspired Israel.
He believes that during this operation, there will be an attempt to kill or capture the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "He has been the cause of this stubbornness," Andjans said. Regime change in Iran is certainly a goal for Israel and likely for the U.S. as well, Andjans noted.
"There is no going back now; I think they will go all in," he said.
The expert believes that what is happening in the Middle East will indirectly affect European countries. In particular, attention will be diverted from Ukraine, and Russia will likely try to become a mediator in the situation. "But otherwise, I think Europe will be in the role of an observer," Andjans said.
As reported, Israel and the U.S. began an attack on Iran on Saturday, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense and U.S. President Donald Trump.
"The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special and immediate state of emergency across the country," the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated.
Trump announced on the platform "Truth Social" that the U.S. military has begun "large-scale combat operations in Iran" to eliminate "threats from the Iranian regime."
Several explosions were heard in Tehran in the morning.
Apparently, a missile strike occurred, reported the Iranian news agency Fars.
Explosions were heard in five cities in Iran on Saturday, Fars indicated.
It was also reported that explosions were heard in Jerusalem and northern Israel on Saturday, according to the AFP agency and the Qatari channel "Al Jazeera."
As previously reported by the Israeli army, missile launches from Iran towards Israel were recorded.
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