Israel Doesn't Want Regime Change in Iran, Says FM

Iranians stand in front of a billboard carrying pictures of late Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh, scientists Fereidun Abbasi, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi during an anti-Israel rally in Tehran, Iran, 14 June 2025. (EPA)
Iranians stand in front of a billboard carrying pictures of late Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh, scientists Fereidun Abbasi, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi during an anti-Israel rally in Tehran, Iran, 14 June 2025. (EPA)
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Israel Doesn't Want Regime Change in Iran, Says FM

Iranians stand in front of a billboard carrying pictures of late Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh, scientists Fereidun Abbasi, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi during an anti-Israel rally in Tehran, Iran, 14 June 2025. (EPA)
Iranians stand in front of a billboard carrying pictures of late Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh, scientists Fereidun Abbasi, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi during an anti-Israel rally in Tehran, Iran, 14 June 2025. (EPA)

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that the goal of its military campaign in Iran “is not a regime change.”

“This is for the Iranian people to decide,” Saar said in an interview on CNN. He said the Israeli security Cabinet set the objective as eliminating Iran's nuclear program and minimizing its ballistic missile threat.

“I believe what we are doing, as an ally for the US and for the Western civilization as a whole, is critical for stability in this part of the world,” Saar said, adding: “If we learn something from our history, when somebody says 'I'm going to eliminate the Jews,' take him at his word.”

He said Iran was within six months of being able to build as many as nine nuclear bombs.

Iran's foreign minister was scheduled to also be interviewed on CNN but had to cancel at the last minute, the network said.



Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
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Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo

Belgium's King Philippe described abuses in Gaza as a "disgrace to humanity" in a speech on the eve of Monday's national day, unusually direct remarks on international affairs from a monarch who traditionally avoids public politics.

"I add my voice to all those who denounce the serious humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent people are dying of hunger and being killed by bombs while trapped in their enclaves," he said speaking at his palace in Brussels, Reuters reported.

"The current situation has gone on for far too long. It is a disgrace to all of humanity. We support the call by the United Nations Secretary-General to immediately end this unbearable crisis."

It was the first time Philippe has spoken out so strongly and unambiguously about a conflict in public. Belgium's federal government has been more reserved in its criticism of the conflict in Gaza.

The king's role in Belgium is limited to giving advice, support, and warnings to the government without making any political decisions.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza following an October 2023 attack on Israeli towns by Hamas-led fighters. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 59,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials there. Much of the territory has been laid to waste and Israel has restricted food and other supplies.

Israel denies that its forces commit abuses in Gaza and says restrictions on supplies are needed to prevent aid from being diverted by militants.