Now Israel has doubled down on its military operations against Iran. It is right to be focusing laserlike on critical nuclear sites, government buildings to weaken the Iranian regime. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IOF to escalate their assault on so-called ‘safe’ targets. He refers to these goals as “icons of the regime.” The recent operations have targeted Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility and heavy-water reactor at Arak.
Israel’s military has bombed the Natanz site on several previous occasions. It continues to be a fundamental aspect of their infrastructure. The recent assaults follow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive for a strategic operation aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel frames these strikes as vital to its national security. As the only country in the region with nuclear capabilities and a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it experiences a heightened sense of existential threat.
On the first day of this renewed campaign, Israeli jets destroyed the relevant heavy-water reactor at Arak. Shortly thereafter, they immediately followed up with additional attacks on the Natanz complex. Katz emphasized that Israel made warnings ahead of the strikes to allow people to evacuate. This forward-thinking military tactic was intended to reduce civilian casualties.
“These are war crimes of the most serious kind and [Ayatollah] Khamenei will be held accountable.” – Israel Katz
Not just the depredations in the above paragraph, Israeli forces have specifically razed facilities associated with the government in Ramallah, including the state broadcaster. This facility, though, has no direct links to Iran’s nuclear program. This would mark a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of Israel’s military engagement with Iran. That deepens the worries over possible retaliatory steps that Tehran might take.
Israel’s Defence Minister expressed his indignation at the collateral damage from the airstrikes. He made particular reference to a hospital in Beersheba that was allegedly affected while military operations were ongoing. His remarks underscore the impossible tightrope Israel would like to walk while executing its maximalist plan to push Iran out of the region.
The increased violence and racist rhetoric has drawn serious backlash from all sectors in Israeli society. Others are appealing for global solidarity to help them in their struggle against Iran. Asher Adiv, a prominent figure in the Israeli community, stated, “The Iranian people should make a revolution, and kick out the ayatollahs.” This feeling is likely rooted in a larger hope shared by many Israelis to see a regime change next door in Tehran.
Furthermore, Adiv urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to take decisive action against Iran’s nuclear sites, declaring, “Tell Donald Trump to be beside us. He has to bomb them to finish the nuclear sites.” Many Israeli officials and civilians have an understandable sense of urgency about the threat they believe Iran’s nuclear program poses. Collectively, their statements underscore this urgency and timely concern.
In spite of these transgressions into foreign territory, Israel’s international airport has been closed since the first attacks on Iranian assets abroad. This closure highlights the heightened state of alert within the country as it braces for potential repercussions from its aggressive stance.
Netanyahu especially has not been shy about admitting that he wants to see regime change in Iran. Tzur is convinced that the supreme Israeli security need is to undermine the Iranian regime – not just for Israel’s security, but for global stability. He argued that Israel is not only fighting for its own survival. It, too, remains in a larger fight against the menacing forces of Tehran.
“We are not just fighting for Israel. We are fighting for the whole world. We ask Trump to go inside and finish the problem.” – Asher Adiv
With tensions escalating more than ever, Israel and Iran are each at a crossroads. Both sides appear prepared to fight a long war. Israel is absolutely committed to rooting out any and all perceived existential threats to its national security.