Israel is not likely to strike at the Islamic Republic’s nuclear infrastructure in an anticipated response to last week’s extensive missile attack on the Jewish state, several former and current intelligence officials told The New York Times on Monday.
The newspaper cited Israeli sources who acknowledged doubts as to whether the IDF has the capability to successfully compromise Tehran’s atomic facilities, as many of the sites are located deep underground and may require Pentagon assistance to effectively neutralize.
Engaging these locations is made more complex by the considerable distance that combat aircraft would need to cover across national borders for a successful operation. Additionally, there are concerns about facing more advanced air defenses than those encountered by the Israelis in the past.
IDF leadership is also said to be very mindful of statements made on October 2 by U.S. President Joe Biden, warning Jerusalem to refrain from retaliation against the regime’s nuclear centers. This indication has reportedly been repeated to Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by his counterpart, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Considering Washington’s insistence on retaliation in a non-escalatory manner, the individuals who spoke with The Times expect their government to conduct an incursion targeting military bases and intelligence installations in Iran. Efforts to neutralize the theocracy’s nuclear capabilities will probably be reassessed if significant counteractions occur after the initial maneuvers.
The apparent decision comes as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett released a video statement on Tuesday in which he urged the IDF to target Tehran’s nuclear network, saying the current regional security environment is creating “a one-time window of opportunity in which we have both the legitimacy and the ability to severely damage the Iranian regime and its nuclear program.”
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