Outgoing Mossad head Dedi Barnea called this evening (Thursday), during a ceremony at the Jerusalem Municipality, to increase economic, political, and operational activity against the regime in Iran - until its fall.
At the ceremony, Mayor Moshe Leon presented him with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city council and the residents of the capital.
Referring to the policy towards Tehran, Barnea said that the sanctions imposed on it are not the end of the road. "President Trump understands very well that the extremist Iranian regime must not be left intact. The decision to impose the most severe sanctions on Iran is a correct and welcome decision. But the sanctions are just another step.".
Barnea added: "There will be no choice, in my opinion, but to escalate the economic, political and operational actions against this regime until it falls - and it will fall.".
According to him, Iranian citizens hope for the fall of the regime and the Western world is also interested in this, with the United States and Israel leading the effort, he said.
The outgoing head of the Mossad claimed that in recent years there has been a change in the international attitude towards the threat posed by Iran: "Until before the 'Roar of Hari' war, we felt that Iran was a problem for the State of Israel, that only we would act and sacrifice to deal with the threat. Today, it is clear to the whole world that the Iranian issue is not our problem alone.".
According to him, the world today understands that the Iranian threat could reach additional countries, through ballistic missiles, terrorism, or the development of nuclear weapons.
Barnea also addressed Israel's overall situation and claimed that despite the upheavals, "the strategic situation of the State of Israel today is immeasurably better than our situation on the eve of the terrible massacre of the October 7th. We have changed the equation.".
Barnea later also addressed the northern arena, saying that Hezbollah still poses a threat and is trying to harm Israel, but its situation has changed. "It is no longer the same threatening terrorist organization we knew. Its forelimbs have suffered fatal blows.".
Regarding Hamas' capabilities, he said: "Hamas will always try to rehabilitate itself and hold its head high, but it is no longer the same Hamas that goes on 'rounds of combat' against the State of Israel. Hamas as an organized and threatening army no longer exists in its previous form.".
Barnea praised the cooperation between the Mossad and the IDF, describing it as deep and unprecedented.
According to him, the Mossad's achievements in recent years are the result of joint work with the army, "Shoulder to shoulder, in the intelligence rooms and in the most complex and dangerous operational fields, we acted together as one fist, cohesive and deadly, with the goal of protecting the homeland.".
The outgoing head of the Mossad also devoted part of his remarks to cohesion in Israeli society. He called for tolerance, listening, and respect for those who are different: "Diversity is our strength, not our weakness.".
