The situation between Israel and Iran has reached a new level of tension, according to Brigadier General Zvika Haimovich, who led the Israel Air Defense Forces from 2015 to 2018. He believes the threat of war with Iran is more serious now than it was during Iran’s first direct attack on Israel in April.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Iran Attack Israel
- Increased Threat of War
- Current Developments
- Avoiding Full-Scale War
- Strategic Goals
Iran Attack Israel
Back in April, Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel, ending years of covert conflict. That attack came just weeks after an Israeli strike in Syria killed two commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The “Iran Attack Israel” scenario has escalated tensions significantly.
But now, Iran’s proxies, Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, are likely to play a role in any retaliation, unlike in the previous attack. The potential for war has escalated following the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge against Israel, and the IRGC has promised “blood vengeance” for Haniyeh’s killing.
Impact of Hezbollah in Middle Eastern Conflicts
Brigadier General Haimovich believes Hezbollah will be crucial in Iran’s response this time. He said he cannot see any situation where Iran does not retaliate for the recent killing, which Tehran blames on Israel. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the “Iran Attack Israel” incident.
Increased Threat of War
In an interview with Iran International, Haimovich highlighted three key questions: Will Iran target central Israel, like Tel Aviv, or focus on the northern area near Haifa? Will Iran use precise missiles or simpler weapons? And will they launch a massive salvo of rockets all at once during their “Iran Attack Israel” plan?
“Everyone is under pressure,” Haimovich said. “The civilian population, the military forces on high alert, and the full readiness around the border. We are waiting. Waiting for, what? This is the million-dollar question about the ‘Iran Attack Israel’ scenario.”
Current Developments
As the region braces for what might come, there’s uncertainty about when Iran will act and how severe the response will be. Haimovich suggested the attack could happen within 48 hours or in the coming days.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with their national security team to discuss the “Iran Attack Israel” situation. The U.S. has not observed any specific movements in Iran indicating an imminent attack, according to a Pentagon spokesperson reported by Sky News Arabia.
The U.S. has also vowed to respond after several American personnel were injured in a rocket attack on the Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraq, believed to be carried out by Iran-backed militants. Bloomberg reported that G7 members are urging Iran to minimize retaliation to avoid a more destructive regional conflict resulting from the “Iran Attack Israel” incident.
Avoiding Full-Scale War
Former CIA director and US CENTCOM Commander David Petraeus also weighed in, saying both Iran and Israel will likely try to avoid a full-scale war due to the potential devastation on both sides. “I think [the Iranians] have to respond,” Petraeus said, “but I don’t think that Iran wants to get into a real direct back-and-forth war with Israel. And frankly, I don’t think Israel wants to get in a real full-on war with Hezbollah or with Iran.”
Strategic Goals
Haimovich mentioned that Israel’s retaliatory attack in April sent a strong message to Iran, but it might not have been enough. The strike on Iran’s radar system in Isfahan, following Iran’s drone and missile attack, demonstrated Israel’s superior military capabilities in the context of “Iran Attack Israel.”
As the world watches, Haimovich stated that Israel’s strategic goals include bringing hostages home and addressing the war with Hamas. Any larger regional conflict would need to consider Israel’s short- and long-term plans in light of the “Iran Attack Israel” situation. Israel Defense Forces Overview
“In the short term, we need to finish the multi-front war we are dealing with,” he said, referring to conflicts with Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. “In the long term, we need to focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and build a strong coalition led by the United States and Arab Sunni states against Iran,” especially in the wake of “Iran Attack Israel.