Why is Iran Dragging Europe into the War? Eliyahu Yossian Reveals Iran's Master Plan

The third day of Operation Roaring Lion presents an unprecedented reality in the Middle East. Facing missile threats, an expanding ground and air campaign, and the shock to the Iranian leadership following the dramatic elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it seems the chaos in the Middle East is reaching a new peak.

But behind the smoke screen and the sirens hides a cold and calculated Iranian strategy. In an in-depth interview given to Eli Gotthelf in the Kikar FM studio, intelligence and Middle East expert Eliyahu Yossian analyzes the situation on the ground, shatters several Israeli illusions about a victory photo, and explains step-by-step what is actually required to ensure long-term security. For the show's listeners, the interview provides a rare glimpse into the way the enemy thinks, and how they can be defeated.

Mourn and Move On: The Real Meaning of Khamenei’s Elimination

The opening blow of the operation, which led to the elimination of Khamenei, was perceived in Israel as an unprecedented achievement. Yossian does not downplay the moral blow, but he cools the excitement regarding its impact on the battlefield: "In terms of prestige, it is a very heavy loss, it has an impact. They mourn for a day, two days, three days, a month—but it does not affect our war against them. In terms of policy, nothing has changed."

He reminds listeners of the differences in perception between Israel and Iran regarding human life, mentioning the Iran-Iraq war that claimed about half a million Iranian lives: "With us, every loss is an entire world. With them, the number of dead is not a metric. These are the conditions we are dealing with."

Strategic Russian Roulette: Why is Iran Dragging Europe In?

One of the burning questions that arose in the interview is the expansion of the circle of fire by Iran, including launching drones at British bases in Cyprus and hitting UAE interests. According to Yossian, this is not about despair or losing control, but a precise tactic:

The Goal: Hitting overall regional stability.

The Purpose: To cause the Gulf states and Europe (who are hurt by the escalation) to put heavy pressure on the United States to stop the war.

The Desired Result for Iran: A return to the negotiating table and a freezing of the fighting, just moments before the regime collapses.

The Victory Formula: Maximum Hits, Minimum Time

While political levels in the US and Israel talk about toppling the regime, the actions on the ground—according to Yossian—do not match the statements. He emphasizes that pinpoint strikes on headquarters and military targets will not be enough.

"If we want to topple the regime, we must take down their electricity, their oil, their central bank, and their Parliament (the Majlis)," he makes clear decisively. The solution, according to him, is an extensive economic and infrastructure attack that will paralyze Iran: "We must deliver maximum hits in minimum time." As for the expectation that the Iranian people will rise up and do the work themselves, Yossian clarifies that without massive external arming from the US and Israel, the citizens have no physical ability to topple the Revolutionary Guard.

The Day After: Who Will Fill the Vacuum in Tehran and What Happens in Lebanon?

If the move indeed succeeds and the Ayatollah regime collapses, who will take the reins? Yossian points to Reza Pahlavi, the son of the exiled Shah, as the leading and most recognized candidate today, who he claims enjoys the support of about 30% of the Iranian people, a significant advantage over other anonymous opposition activists.

In the local northern sector, Yossian presents a clear hawkish line: until the head of the octopus in Iran falls, the story with Hezbollah cannot be ended. Furthermore, he declares that to ensure true security for northern residents, the State of Israel must physically hold territories in Southern Lebanon, and not rely on international agreements that have failed time and again.

Kikar FM Listener Corner: Authentic Accents and Skiing in Tehran

At the end of the interview, Yossian took the time to answer questions sent directly to him from Kikar FM listeners, showing a lighter side. He confirmed (again) with a smile that his accent is completely real and not a character, humorously brushed off the question of why he didn't call his son Yossi ("and if I called him Yossi, they would ask something else"), and even confirmed for winter sports fans that in today's Iran there are respected ski resorts worth visiting, maybe on the day after the war.