Amid the din of global speculation over US military build-up in the Middle East, Israel's leaders have remained unusually silent. Aside from some remarks in support of Iran's anti-government protests this month, Israel's prime minister has had little to say publicly about his superpower ally taking on his biggest enemy. His government has remained equally silent.
It shows you the importance Netanyahu puts on this moment, said Danny Citrinowicz, who served for 25 years in Israel's Defence Intelligence, and is now senior Iran researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies.
Asaf Cohen, a former deputy director of Israel's signals intelligence unit, highlighted that this silence also reflects a strategy: allowing the Americans to lead the way during this heightened tension. Netanyahu views the current US military presence in the Gulf, coupled with Trump's unpredictability, as a significant opportunity for decisive action against Iran.
Discussions are ongoing regarding potential US military targets in Iran, spurred by Netanyahu's long-standing view of Iran as the central threat to Israel's security. This week, Israeli military intelligence chief Shlomi Binder met with US intelligence officials to explore implications for military action.
The period following the recent 12-day conflict with Iran has left the Iranian regime reportedly weakened, presenting what some Israeli analysts see as a rare opportunity for regime change. Many Israeli citizens express support for military action, emphasizing a consensus around the perceived existential threat posed by Iran.
While analysts agree that a military strike could be warranted, they caution about the complexities of regime change, including the potential for chaos and instability in Iran. Netanyahu's government faces future elections, making the stakes higher as calls for decisive action against Iran resonate more strongly than ever. This moment in time might be critical for potential military actions that could reshape the future of Iran-Israel relations.
