In the past nine months, Israel’s approach to potentially attacking Iran’s nuclear program has significantly changed. Previously, Israel’s strategy relied on aerial strikes, using stealth capabilities to eliminate Iran’s advanced S-300 anti-aircraft systems and targeting key nuclear sites, including the underground facility at Fordow.
On April 19 and October 26, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited the Israel Air Force with destroying Iran’s S-300 systems. This development has left Iran’s nuclear program largely undefended against Israeli airstrikes, making an attack more feasible.
Iran’s indirect threats, such as retaliatory missile attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s ballistic missiles, have been mitigated. Hamas and Hezbollah are currently disorganized, while Israel, with U.S. support, has successfully intercepted the majority of Iranian ballistic missiles using its Arrow 2 and 3 defense systems.
The shift in U.S. administration, with President-elect Donald Trump’s support for an Israeli strike, reduces diplomatic concerns for Israel. Additionally, reports suggest Trump may provide Israel with bunker-buster capabilities, further enhancing its strike potential.
Israel’s capability to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities now extends beyond airstrikes to potential Special Forces operations, similar to the IDF’s covert actions in Syria. This multifaceted approach signals that Israel is prepared to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat, depending on Iran’s response in the coming months.
