Israeli warplanes have targeted over 20 sites within Iranian airspace, including missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile systems, and other air defense infrastructures. This week, Israel’s Defense Minister stated that “enemies will pay a heavy price for attempting to harm Israel.”
Israel is currently testing Iran’s patience, hoping that by igniting a larger war, it can divert the international community’s attention away from its operations in Gaza. In the process, Israel aims to achieve its long-standing dream of creating a “Greater Israel.” This recent strike on Iran signals Israel’s capacity to engage in prolonged conflicts on multiple fronts, including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen.
For decades, Israel’s primary strategy has revolved around the possibility of regional wars, historically focusing on Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Today, however, Iran has become the central focus, as Israel views it as an existential threat due to its nuclear and missile capabilities that could potentially reach Israel’s major cities. Consequently, Iran, rather than the groups it supports, has become Israel’s next target.
Recent developments in the Middle East indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government may be on the brink of igniting a major regional war. Sadly, the U.S. and other Western countries continue to support Israel while refusing to condemn its crimes against humanity, despite both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court recognizing Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
Israel has ignored the UN’s call for a ceasefire. It is shocking that Western countries, which proudly proclaim themselves as champions of human rights and lecture other nations on this, remain silent on Gaza’s genocide.
The U.S. is deeply concerned about losing its longstanding influence in the Middle East, which it has established over the years through Israel and other Arab allies. At the regional level, Iran and, on the global stage, Russia and China have been challenging the U.S.’s dominance. Israel is now making every effort to draw Iran into a conflict, aiming to contain it—a nation that refuses to accept American and Israeli dominance in the Middle East.
However, defeating Iran is not easy. Despite recent intelligence failures, Iran has managed to maintain its influence in the region from Iraq to Syria and Lebanon. Despite differences on the Yemen issue, Iran remains keen to maintain diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, which is not favorable news for Israel.
The hypocrisy and greed of the U.S. in global governance, supported by allies like the UK, Canada, and Australia, have made it clear that the U.S. continues to arm Israel with advanced weapons, giving it a free hand to use them where it sees fit. While occasionally reprimanding Israel, the U.S. typically pardons it for excessive use of these weapons.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Netanyahu lacks a military background. However, his extended tenure has highlighted his aggressive stance. Iran’s retaliation with over 180 ballistic missiles in response to the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders underscores the severity of this conflict. Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, targeting Iran-supported forces, have escalated the conflict further.
Despite Israel’s advanced missile defense systems intercepting most missiles, the growing flames of war indicate that both sides, especially Israel, are no longer satisfied with a model of limited covert conflict. Hezbollah’s successful drone strike on Israel’s Golan Brigade base exposed Israel’s air defense vulnerabilities, increasing tensions.
The existing global order is fractured, with a new balance yet to emerge. The U.S. is striving to maintain its power against an economically and militarily rising China and a resurgent Russia. While the U.S. remains militarily superior, it is attempting to draw China into a conflict, hoping to undermine its stability. Although China has wisely avoided confrontation over Taiwan and the South China Sea, it continues to expand its influence in the Middle East through diplomacy, promoting unity among Palestinian factions and previously mediating Saudi-Iran rapprochement.
Israel faces no direct threats from its Arab neighbors. Lebanon is grappling with internal chaos, Egypt is dealing with internal political and economic crises, Jordan faces limited military capabilities, Syria remains weakened by a decade-long civil war, and Iraq lacks the capacity for meaningful resistance. The Gulf states pose no military threat to Israel, and Iran’s actions are limited to funding and supplying arms to Palestinian militants.
In any future conflict with Iran, Israel and the West will both be involved. Israel is now better prepared for extensive conflict, with its naval fleet on alert, indicating to Tehran that any confrontation will come at a high cost. Despite Russian statements and increased military support to Iran, Israel’s military build-up is unlike any since the 1973 war.
This might compel Iran to reconsider its rivalry with Israel or prompt it to bolster its defenses. The Cairo Agreement, which is on the path to ending the Gaza conflict, does not ease tensions with Iran and Hezbollah. While Iran failed to defend Hamas and kept Hezbollah out of the conflict, its attempts to open a front in Jordan were unsuccessful, and Syria refrained from allowing Iran-backed militants to operate from its soil. Only the Houthis in Yemen were active, but they withdrew after losing key assets at the port of Hodeidah.
For decades, Israel and Iran have contained each other through covert conflict. However, Israel’s aggression and persistent attacks in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon have disrupted this delicate balance. The implications for the Middle East could be disastrous. Both Israel and Iran appear ready to escalate their confrontation, and with continuous military buildups and Israel’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state, the possibility of an Israel-Iran war is growing.