US-Israel strikes target Khamenei. Attack aimed at regime change?

The targets chosen by the US and Israel for their strikes in Iran and the separate addresses by Donald Trump and Netanyahu screamed one big motive -- to wipe out the leadership in Tehran and make way for a revolution. Even though neither leader explicitly said that they were aiming for regime change, the signals were palpable as seven missiles were fired towards the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

So far, there has been no statement from Iran on the whereabouts of Khamenei, whose regime has been beset by massive protests that left more than 2,500 people dead. The first wave of US-Israel strikes targeted offices of Khamenei and the assembly of experts -- the body that chooses the Iranian supreme leader.

However, an Iranian government source told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the strike and had already been moved to a secure location. It raises questions if Iran was tipped off about the impending strikes after informal talks with the US fell apart.

Moreover, the residence of Iran's President, Masud Pezeshkhian, was also targeted. However, no assassination of any senior government official has been confirmed. The headquarters of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was also attacked.

Overall, the strategy pointed towards damaging the political leadership of Iran.

When the US attacked Iran last year in June, the targets were deeply buried nuclear facilities -- far from civilian areas. However, the sites that were struck today were either offices or residences of the Iranian leadership.

"Iranian officials were the main target of the first wave of US-Israeli strikes," a US government source told Reuters.

Even in his video speech, Trump made it clear in no uncertain terms that the military campaign against Iran, named Operation Epic Fury, was an effort to decimate the country's military, eliminate its nuclear program and bring about a change in government.

"To the great, proud people of Iran, the hour of your freedom is at hand... When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was more direct. He said the US-Israel attack could "create conditions" for the Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.

For Netanyahu, a regime change in Iran would be the fulfilment of a decades-old obsession. The Israeli Prime Minister has long portrayed Iran and its proxies as a menace to Israel and the Middle East.

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