Iran regime will fall through mix of operations, economic pressure, ex-Mossad chief Barnea says

 

Ex-Mossad chief David Barnea (L) and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion (R) at the Jerusalem Municipality, August 27, 2026.

(photo credit: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY)

Iran's regime will fall through a mix of operations, economic pressure, and protests by its own people, recently retired Mossad chief David Barnea said in his first speech since stepping down on June 1.

In a speech to the Jerusalem Municipality, where he received an award on behalf of the Mossad, Barnea supported the Trump administration's latest economic pressure moves against the Islamic Republic.

He said that it was clear these were needed, but that they would be insufficient alone and would require the use of force as well, although he did not specify whether that force would require another round of massive airstrikes or whether a covert sabotage campaign would be sufficient.

"The decision to place the most severe sanctions on Iran was a correct and praiseworthy decision. But the sanctions are just another stage. There will be no choice, in my view, other than to escalate the economic actions, the policies, and the operations against the regime until it falls, and it will fall," stated Barnea.

Barnea, in his first speech since leaving the post of Israel's spy chief in June, also said that Hezbollah and Hamas are weaker now than they were before the October 7 massacre.