Mossad chief Roman Gofman fired two senior intelligence officials after a plan to topple Iran’s government failed or was never implemented, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 on Thursday.
The officials were the head of the intelligence directorate, appointed only months ago, and the chief of the agency’s Iran division, the broadcaster said. Neither official was identified.
Channel 12 claimed the plan was developed in coordination with the US and sought to fuel internal moves against the Iranian government, including support for opposition groups, under broad Israeli-US military air cover.
The broadcaster, citing assessments, said the plan either failed or never reached the operational stage.
Security sources told Channel 12 that Gofman’s relations with the two officials had been strained from the outset, adding that the dismissals came amid a broader shake-up of Mossad’s leadership and priorities, particularly regarding Iran.
The broadcaster also cited international reports as saying the plan included scenarios for replacing Iran’s leadership and coordination with US officials on a possible “post-regime” phase.
The effort stalled at an early stage, however, leading to the proposal being shelved and those responsible being held accountable, according to the broadcaster.
There was no immediate official Israeli comment on the reported dismissals.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on March 13 that toppling the Iranian government would be difficult, saying it was “not certain that this will happen.”
