Israel media reported Thursday that the country’s intelligence agencies recognized activities related to nuclear development that could bring the Islamic Republic, Israel’s arch-enemy, closer than ever to an atomic bomb.
For years, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a shadow war against each other. Israel’s military is believed to be behind hundreds of airstrikes against Iranian targets in the Middle East, in addition to cyberattacks against major infrastructure in the Islamic Republic. Iran is believed to be behind attacks against Israeli-operated oil tankers, attempts to abduct and kill Israelis in countries like Cyprus and Turkey in recent months, and the steady supply of weapons to its proxies.
The shadow war transformed earlier this year in April when Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel. Firing more than 300 missiles and suicide drones at the country, it was a departure from its doctrine of indirectly attacking Israel through its many proxies situated on the borders of the Jewish state. Iran’s assault was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. It was the closest the two countries have been to a direct confrontation after decades of tensions and accusations.
Israel is not alone in its perception of Iran as the greatest threat to regional security. Earlier this week, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, in Washington. According to a statement released by the Pentagon after their meeting, the US and Israel will “stand together against Iranian and Iranian-supported attacks against Israel and destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East.” READ MORE