Iran Israel Updates Wed Oct 21

- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF and Mossad to overthrow Iran’s regime during an IDF officer cadet graduation ceremony Wednesday afternoon. “My directive to the IDF, the Mossad, and the defense establishment… is to overthrow the regime in Iran,” 

- The U.S. State Department is preparing to order some embassy personnel and their family members to leave Gulf countries, Reuters reports, citing U.S. officials.

- Israeli Defense Minister Katz warns the Iranian regime against attacking Israel amid the upcoming elections: "If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!" "In recent days, we have identified attempts by our enemies, led by Iran and its proxies, to carry out attacks intended to influence the outcome of the elections in Israel," "The Iranian regime is at its weakest point ever, and we recognize that this weakness could drive it to take the most extreme measures, including against Israel. Our message to the Iranian regime is clear: We see your attempts, we are prepared to thwart them, and we are ready to strike back with full force."

-Netanyahu warned that Iran is once again pursuing nuclear weapons under its new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. “Iran is once again trying to develop nuclear bombs. Mojtaba Khamenei has decided to follow in his father's footsteps, and he has pulled the pin.”“There is only one way to remove this threat: overthrow the regime in Iran.”

- Report: Israel Planned to Attack Iran This Month but Was Blocked by Trump: The Financial Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF to plan a major, multi-day air campaign for the weekend of October 10, targeting civilian infrastructure, nuclear facilities and regime-linked sites. The operation was ultimately canceled because US President Donald Trump opposed renewing the conflict before the midterm elections.

- United Airlines Pilot Barred From Operating Flights to Israel: An Iranian-born United Airlines pilot will not be allowed to serve on flights to Israel following information provided to Israeli security and transportation authorities. Social media posts allegedly showed Sina Amjadian expressing support for the Iranian regime, the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah

- Pakistani army chief Asim Munir carried a final U.S. warning into Tehran during his visit yesterday, according to leaks cited by the Lebanese paper Al-Akhbar. Iran is to concede on the nuclear issue before any other step, or face a wide-scale attack directed mainly at its nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain.

- Israel may be forced to act as Iran rebuilds military capabilities before election, officials warn Israel is tracking Iran's efforts to rebuild its military capabilities, warning that renewed threats could force action despite upcoming elections. Jpost

- Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei told visiting Pakistani army chief Asim Munir on Tuesday that Tehran will not allow nuclear material to leave the country, according to state TV, and delivered the message that there would be no talks with Washington until its demands were met.