‘Israeli’ plan to topple Iran’s government faltered, Channel 13 reports

• ‘Israel’s’ Mossad reportedly developed multiple plans aimed at toppling Iran’s government, including a secret campaign involving Kurdish forces.
• Channel 13 says an internal Mossad review was launched over alleged financial irregularities linked to a separate influence campaign.

‘Israel’s’ Channel 13 has revealed details of an operation it says was part of the Mossad’s broader efforts to topple Iran’s government.

According to the report, the Mossad worked on several projects in recent years aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government. One of them, reportedly known as “Project Garden,” was an expensive global influence campaign launched after October 7 and managed from outside the Mossad’s headquarters by a well-known campaign director.

The project prompted an unusual internal review at the Mossad following allegations of financial mismanagement. The agency said the review was intended to regulate procedures and found no evidence of financial embezzlement.

Channel 13 reported that after the end of ‘Israel’s’ “Rising Lion” operation in June 2025, the Mossad began developing an ambitious plan to topple Iran’s government, reportedly code-named “Booted Cat.”

Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly promoted the plan and told political leaders that removing Iran’s government was an achievable objective.

According to the report, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was identified as a potential future leader and was referred to in closed meetings as “the friend.”

The plan reportedly called for a large-scale ‘Israeli’ air assault in Iran’s Kurdish region to open a route for Kurdish forces to enter the country. Its planners believed that an initial military breakthrough could trigger mass protests involving millions of people.

Thousands of Kurdish fighters reportedly traveled to ‘Israel’ for training. They were instructed that any targeting of civilians would result in the suspension of ‘Israeli’ support, according to the report.

Channel 13 reported that in January 2026, ‘Israel’ considered bringing the operation forward after large protests erupted in Iran, but ultimately sought a delay over concerns that its forces were not ready.

During a February meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at the White House, Trump reportedly asked when ‘Israel’ wanted to carry out the operation and when it would be ready.

Barnea estimated that removing Iran’s government would take about a year, while ‘Israeli’ military chief Eyal Zamir reportedly estimated that it could take up to three years.

Trump eventually gave the operation the green light, according to Channel 13, and ‘Israel’ launched its military campaign.

However, the plan reportedly changed only days later when the White House instructed ‘Israel’ to halt the entry of Kurdish forces into Iran.

“After three days of the campaign, we received the word: Don’t,” an ‘Israeli’ official told Channel 13.

The report said the decision followed opposition from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as pressure from US Vice President JD Vance.

According to the report, political officials and the Mossad failed to persuade Washington to reverse its decision.

Barnea subsequently presented an alternative plan, but security officials considered it weaker than the original strategy.

The alternative ultimately failed, Channel 13 reported. Officials now reportedly believe that attempting to develop a new plan during the war was a mistake because it lacked the readiness and maturity of the original operation and failed to produce the results ‘Israel’ had hoped for.