Israel strengthens defenses amid threats of retaliation from Iran

Israeli and US security officials are beefing up Israel's defenses after the killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders last week. Iran has responded by asserting that regional stability can only be achieved by “punishing” Israel for its alleged role in the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This potential attack would be only Iran's second direct strike at Israel, despite years of hostile rhetoric and aggressive posturing.

Iran's strategy, often called the “ring of fire,” involves surrounding Israel with militant forces and engaging in hostilities. This approach is not theoretical but a practical application of Iran's “death by a thousand cuts” strategy against Israel, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). .

Almost all militant and terrorist organizations in the area surrounding Israel are backed by Iran and have access to a wide variety of Iranian weaponry, including rockets, mortars, drones, cruise missiles and, in some cases, ballistic missiles. Iran has long relied on proxy groups in the Middle East to fight its battles, providing funding, training and weapons to at least 19 terrorist organizations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Israel is preparing its defensive and offensive capabilities on the ground and in the air as security officials around the world anticipate Iran's imminent attack. Iran's first direct assault on Israel came in April after the IDF struck an Iranian consulate in Syria, killing 13 people, including a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In response, Tehran launched about 300 rockets and drones at Israel, causing minor damage, with no Israeli deaths reported, as 99% of the strikes were intercepted.

After Haniyeh's assassination on Iranian soil, officials believe Iran has something to prove. The assassination highlighted the vulnerability of Iran's security services as it was carried out with a pre-planted bomb that was detonated remotely. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing, but Iran and Hamas have accused Jerusalem of carrying out the attack and vowed to retaliate.

Security experts believe Iran may attempt to overwhelm Israeli and US defenses in a multi-pronged attack using not only the IRGC's more advanced munitions, but also its regional surrogate forces stationed on Israel's borders. Taleblu warns that Iran's growing comfort in stepping out of the shadows is a problem for anyone who wants less conflict in the region.