In the lead-up to the war, Mossad Director David Barnea conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Mossad had the potential to spark protests capable of overthrowing the Iranian government. Reports based on interviews with official sources in both the United States and Israel reveal that Barnea suggested that within days of the outbreak of war, the Mossad might be able to rally the Iranian opposition and incite riots that could lead to the regime's collapse in Tehran. This proposal was also presented to senior U.S. officials during Barnea's visit to Washington in mid-January.

Following the outbreak of war, Barnea's outlook regarding the possibility of an uprising was utilized by Netanyahu as a persuasive tool to convince U.S. President Donald Trump that toppling the Iranian regime was a feasible objective. Despite Barnea's optimism, there remained significant skepticism among senior American officials and within Israeli intelligence agencies concerning the viability of the plan and its potential ramifications.

The implications of this report are profound, particularly in the context of U.S.-Iran relations and Israel's approach to Iran. The discussions around igniting dissent within Iran not only reflect the ongoing tensions but also underscore the complexities of international diplomacy and intervention, raising questions about the consequences of such actions in a volatile political landscape.