Israel’s campaign against Iran achieves ‘enormous’ success, experts say

Israel’s military campaign in Iran has been hailed as a resounding success by experts tracking the conflict, attributing the achievements to years of preparation, innovation on the battlefield, and intelligence development. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, described Israel’s progress as a \”domination\” of the Iranian military, citing the elimination of senior military leaders, the Iranian Air Force, and a significant portion of missile launchers and ballistic inventory.

Despite Iran’s retaliatory attacks, including a missile strike on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintain the upper hand tactically and strategically. With over 600 aerial refuelings in the Middle Eastern skies since the conflict began, the IDF’s control over Iranian airspace is impressive.

Hilla Hadad-Chmelnik, a strategist at the \”Mind Israel\” think tank, emphasized that Israel’s success is the result of years of preparation in various aspects, from long-range strike capabilities to intelligence gathering. Drawing on lessons learned from previous conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, the IDF has refined its operational doctrines to effectively combat Iran.

The use of defensive systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling has proven crucial in intercepting Iranian missile salvos with over 90% effectiveness, despite the unprecedented scale of attacks. The IDF’s ability to neutralize rocket launchers quickly has been a key strategy in minimizing the impact of incoming missiles.

While significant gains have been made, the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility remains a critical target. Dubowitz stressed the importance of dismantling Fordow to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. He outlined three potential paths for achieving this goal, including diplomatic agreements or targeted military interventions.

Hadad-Chmelnik believes that Israel’s success creates an opportunity for the United States to join the conflict and contribute to the dismantling of Fordow. She highlighted the potential for decisive success with most of Iran’s assets already degraded.

Dubowitz also noted that Israel’s offensive has targeted Iran’s internal security infrastructure, which could pave the way for future domestic unrest. By striking the regime’s tools of repression, Israel may create space for Iranians to protest against the government.

As the conflict progresses, there is cautious optimism that this may be a historic opportunity to end Iran’s nuclear threat and support the Iranian people in reclaiming their future. However, the ultimate success hinges on the dismantling of Fordow, which could be a defining moment in the campaign.

Efrat Lachter, an investigative reporter and war correspondent, reflected on the achievements of the IDF with hope for a positive outcome. She emphasized the importance of continued pressure on Iran to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.