Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly proposed last week that he and US President Donald Trump issue a public call for Iranians to take to the streets against their government, but Trump rejected the idea, citing the high risk to civilians, according to two US officials and an Israeli source cited by Axios. “Why should we ask people to take to the streets when they will be crushed,” said a US official briefed on the talks. The exchange reflects differing approaches between the two allies While the US and Israel share most military objectives in the ongoing conflict, they differ on how far to pursue regime change and the level of anarchy that is acceptable.Netanyahu has listed promoting a popular uprising among the Iranian population as a main objective. However, US officials told Axios that Trump views regime change as a “bonus” rather than the primary goal. Although he suggested early in the war that American combat operations might allow the Iranians to overthrow their government, he has rarely reiterated that position since.The disagreement came after Israel carried out strikes that killed Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij militia, as well as several deputies. Israeli officials say the purpose of killing Soleimani was to create conditions for a popular uprising, as he was tasked with suppressing protests.Netanyahu argued during the call that the Iranian regime was disorganized and that an opportunity existed to further destabilize it. He suggested coordinating with Trump to encourage public protests. However, Trump warned that such a call would likely lead to mass casualties, reminding that thousands of protesters had been killed before the conflict escalated.Despite Trump’s warning, Netanyahu later publicly addressed the Iranian people, urging them to “celebrate the festival of fire”, while Israeli airstrikes targeted key locations. Very few Iranians reportedly took to the streets, which American and Israeli officials attributed to fear of retaliation from the regime. Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, told Axios that the strategy focuses on undermining the regime’s ability to suppress opposition, allowing Iranians to “take charge of their own lives” while Trump simultaneously pursues diplomatic options to keep parts of the regime intact.Israeli officials say Netanyahu doubts an acceptable agreement will be reached soon.