MEF Dispatch: Regime Change the Only Solution; Israel Can't Lose Iranians Hearts & Minds

Regime Change the Only Solution; Israel Can't Lose Iranians' Hearts & Minds

By Winfield Myers ● Jun 20, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 7 mins...1918 words

Jonathan Spyer argues that the Middle East stands at a crossroads, and the right way forward is regime change in Iran. Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi lay out a plan for Israel to keep the Iranian populace on its side by countering a regime propaganda machine that has gone into “overdrive.” Jim Hanson tells Fox News that President Trump is playing his cards just right regarding Fordow.

Shay Khatiri says the U.S. and Israel must video the bombing of Fordow, both to convince an Iranian population made cynical by regime lies, and to humiliate the Islamic Republic on live television to its own supporters. Finally, Michael Rubin warns President Trump not to trust the Pakistanis, who have a long record of Janus-faced diplomacy.

MEF Action Campaign: Tell Congress to Pass the U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025

Join our campaign to demand Congress pass the U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 (H.R. 1229/S. 554). With Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran locked in a conflict that the U.S. may soon join, this bipartisan bill is critical to strengthening our mutual defenses. Sign up now to push your elected leaders to act!

As of June 20, 2025, the Iranian regime's missile and drone attacks aimed at civilian population centers have killed 24 Israelis and wounded over 1,200, including major strikes on Bat Yam and Tel Aviv. These attacks underscore the urgency behind this bill, which authorizes $1.25 billion for counter-unmanned aerial systems, enhancements to anti-missile tech like Iron Dome and the Arrow system, and emerging tech — AI, cybersecurity, and robotics — to counter Iran’s evolving threats.

Take action now by filling out the form and submitting letters to your House member and senators. Tell them that U.S.-Israel national security interests are intertwined, and we must collaborate with our closest Middle East ally to ensure our dominance over Iran's regime and its terrorist proxies.

To join our campaign, click here.

Only Regime Change Will Solve the Problem of Iran

The Middle East faces a pivotal moment as the war between Israel and Iran unfolds, with U.S. intervention potentially on the horizon.

Why it matters: This conflict transcends state lines, embodying a struggle between contrasting governance models and regional visions. This is a war not only or primarily between states. It is a conflict between systems of governance and between rival visions of the region.

Iran's strategy of deploying political-military proxies seeks to dominate the region, aiming for Islamist rule and relentless conflict.

Israel stands as the sole power capable of countering Iran's ambitions, promoting a vision of economic growth and pluralism.

The stakes: Iran's regional influence is crumbling, offering Israel a rare opportunity to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

Israel's military actions have significantly impaired Iran's nuclear ambitions, striking key facilities and leaders.

Despite these successes, the Fordow facility remains a formidable challenge that needs to be addressed. It is immune, according to a recent article by former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to the IDF’s current capacities.

What's next: It is imperative for Israel, alongside potential U.S. support, to escalate operations and target Iran's top regime figures.

If Israel just keeps pounding away at Iranian targets, damaging but not destroying them, it risks being drawn into a war of attrition which will play to Tehran’s benefit, not Jerusalem’s. Potential shortages in Israel’s Arrow 3 interceptors render this issue more acute.

The bottom line: Iran’s folly in sending its proxies against Israel in 2023, and then initiating direct attacks in April 2024, has created an opportunity. The Islamic Republic of Iran has cast a shadow over the Middle East for nearly half a century. It’s time that this shadow be lifted.

To read the full article, click here.

WATCH: June 20, 2025 | MEF Israel-Iran War Monitor

The Middle East Forum's Iran War Monitor’s on June 20th discussed Israel's intensified airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure, the Iranian regime's desperate missile retaliations and propaganda amid a domestic internet blackout, and the cautious mobilization of Iranian Kurds and opposition groups awaiting a weakened regime to push for change. On today’s panel, we were joined by:

Gregg Roman
MEF Executive Director

Shukriya Bradost
Activist, Foreign Policy Analyst

Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh
MEF Director of Eastern Mediterranean Affairs

Winfield Myers
MEF Managing Editor, Campus Watch Director

Eric Navarro
MEF Director of Military and Strategy Programs

Michael Rubin
MEF Director of Policy Analysis

Banafsheh Zand
Iranian activist

To watch the full broadcast, click here.

President Trump Says Negotiate First, Bomb Second

Jim Hanson, chief editor for the Middle East Forum, delivers a stark warning on FOX about U.S. military strategy against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Why it matters: The U.S. is at a critical juncture, ready to unleash its military might if Iran refuses to dismantle its nuclear programs.

Trump's ultimatum to Iran: surrender or face devastating consequences.

White House officials confirm readiness to deploy powerful bunker busters, with tactical nukes not off the table.

No need for Congressional doubt: The U.S. military’s capabilities will obliterate Iran’s nuclear sites if necessary.

There can be no question of Trump’s intent to dismantle Iran’s nuclear potential without resorting to regime change.

The stakes: Iran's radical leadership poses a grave threat, with their apocalyptic ideology making conventional deterrence ineffective.

The U.S. must act decisively to neutralize Iran's nuclear ambitions, as allowing them to advance would be catastrophic.

The bottom line: Trump's administration is determined to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear capability, using force if diplomacy fails. It stands firm on the need for aggressive measures to ensure regional stability.

To watch the full segment, click here.

Support MEF’s Iran Freedom Initiative

The Islamist regime in Iran has gone dark—and its collapse is accelerating.

Six days ago, Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" against Iran's nuclear facilities and Revolutionary Guard leadership. Today, the Islamic Republic imposed a near-total internet blackout across the entire nation. They cannot hide what is happening: the systematic dismantling of every pillar of their power. The Middle East Forum's moment has arrived—and we are seizing it with both hands.

Despite this, the Middle East Forum's Iran Freedom Initiative continues to operate in full compliance with United States law through secure channels, providing strategic support to resistance groups and delivering real-time intelligence and analysis to global audiences.

Over the past week, our teams have:

Maintained contact with networks inside Iran despite the blackout

Documented key military and nuclear site strikes confirmed by international sources

Tracked the collapse of Iran’s financial infrastructure through unprecedented cyberattacks

Delivered expert analysis and media outreach to inform policymakers and the public

We have prepared for this moment through years of careful planning and relationship building. Our Iran Freedom Initiative represents the only comprehensive operational plan to channel this military pressure into lasting political transformation. While others debate policy papers, our teams operate on the ground, providing the tools and support that transform uprising into revolution.

The regime’s loss of control, both militarily and digitally, opens a narrow window for lasting change. With continued effort, and by working together, we can help Iranians take the next step toward freedom and democratic governance.

To support the Iran Freedom Initiative, click here.
To visit the Iran War Monitor website, click here.

How Can Israel Avoid Losing the Iranian People’s Hearts and Minds?

Many Iranians initially supported Israel’s targeted strikes against the Iranian regime’s military leaders and nuclear facilities, viewing them as a blow against their oppressors.

Why it matters: The Iranian regime propaganda arm is going into overdrive to sway public opinion, falsely claiming that Israel is indiscriminately targeting civilians.

This tactic aims to instill fear and panic, potentially reversing the pro-Israel sentiment among Iranians.

To counteract this, Israel must clearly distinguish between its actions against the regime and the welfare of the Iranian people.

Strategic focus: Israel should target key regime infrastructures, including Sarallah Headquarters, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ body responsible for security in Tehran, and the Revolutionary Guards' propaganda arms like Baqiatallah Headquarters.

Strikes should focus on dismantling military-security, ideological-propaganda, and political infrastructures, highlighting the regime's human rights violations.

Public diplomacy: A robust Israeli communication strategy is essential to undermine the regime's narrative and directly engage the Iranian people.

Israel's Farsi-language outreach can leverage cultural narratives to inspire resistance against the regime.

This narrative could be strategically and powerfully framed as “returning the favor” 2,500 years later—repaying the Iranian people for Cyrus the Great’s liberation of the Jewish people from Babylonian tyranny and his support in helping them return to their homeland.

The bottom line: Winning the hearts and minds of Iranians is crucial for Israel to maintain its strategic advantage against the Islamic Republic.

To read the full article, click here.

The Bombing of Fordow Must Be Filmed

President Trump will decide within two weeks on deploying B-2 bombers to strike Iran's Fordow nuclear facility.

Why it matters: The U.S. military's involvement, using the 37,000-pound GBU-57 "bunker buster," could effectively neutralize Iran's nuclear threat.

This action would simplify operations for Israel, alleviating the need for sequential bombing or commando raids.

Nothing is more convincing for most people than seeing something with their own eyes. But this is especially true in a totalitarian society where everything is a lie, and people learn not to believe anything. Iran is a cynical society.

To convince an Iranian, they must see it for themselves. Videos, as opposed to simple still frames, have the additional benefit of reliving the moment.

The stakes: Destroying Fordow could delegitimize the regime by stripping away its nuclear facade, as seeing the explosion will have a psychological impact on Iran’s cynical populace.

The regime's last claim to legitimacy hinges on its nuclear program; its destruction would accelerate internal dissent.

Broadcasting the event could catalyze regime foot soldiers to abandon their posts, hastening the regime's collapse.

Operational considerations: The GBU-57 penetrates the ground before exploding, possibly requiring additional surface bombing for visibility.

Live coverage via drones and hacking Iranian state TV could ensure the regime's propaganda can't spin the narrative.

The bottom line: If regime change without boots on the ground is the desired outcome, there is no substitute for humiliating the Islamic Republic on live television to its own supporters.

To read the full article, click here.

Einstein’s Definition of Insanity: Repeating the Pakistan Mistake on Iran

President Trump’s consideration of Pakistan's involvement in the Iran conflict is fraught with peril, as history warns of Islamabad's duplicitous nature.

Why it matters: Pakistan’s track record of deceit and support for Islamist militancy poses a severe risk to U.S. strategy.

Trusting Pakistan is a gamble; their alliances often prioritize self-interest over genuine partnership.

After the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the Pakistanis welcomed Saudi money and American weaponry on one condition: They alone distribute it. They starved most Afghan oppositionists of any support and exclusively funded the so-called “Peshawar Seven,” a group of Islamist Mujahedin.

The stakes: Aligning with Pakistan could inadvertently bolster an "Axis of Evil" with Turkey to supplant Iran.

Pakistan’s double-dealing and terror sponsorship undermine U.S. interests and security.

The bottom line: Trump must reject Pakistan's involvement and clearly signal that aligning with adversaries will lead to severe consequences.

Munir should be sent packing, with a stark warning that continuing down Iran's path could result in a fate akin to Khamenei’s.

To read the full article, click here.

We hope you’re enjoying our special coverage of Israel’s war with Iran. If you found this useful to understanding the conflict, please forward it to a friend. And please use the comments section to let us know your opinion.

Thank you,

Winfield Myers
Managing Editor, Middle East Forum
Director, Campus Watch

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