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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has predicted a significant military response from Israel to Iran's recent missile attacks. Barak, a prominent figure in Israeli politics and military leadership, believes Israel will launch a multi-pronged offensive, targeting Iran's oil industry and possibly conducting a symbolic strike against facilities related to its nuclear program.
Barak emphasizes the imperative for Israel to respond, arguing that any sovereign nation would act in a similar manner. He draws parallels to Israel's recent reprisal airstrikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, suggesting a large-scale, potentially repeated attack against Iranian assets. Although US President Joe Biden has acknowledged discussions about a possible Israeli strike on Iran's oil sector, he has not explicitly endorsed it.
Regarding a potential strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, Barak acknowledges suggestions within Israel but ultimately believes such an action would be futile. He points to the advancement of Iran's nuclear program, now considered a 'de facto threshold country' on the brink of possessing nuclear weapons. While a strike might inflict some damage, Barak argues it would not significantly delay Iran's progress.
Despite his skepticism, Barak recognizes pressure within the Netanyahu government for at least some symbolic attack on the Iranian program. He sees this as a risky yet potentially unavoidable response to the perceived inaction of sitting idly by. Barak also believes the current crisis could have been avoided had former Prime Minister Netanyahu embraced a US-proposed plan to rally Arab support for a post-conflict Palestinian government in Gaza.
He criticizes Netanyahu's rejection of any political solutions that acknowledge Palestinian sovereignty, arguing that it contributed to the escalation of the conflict. Ultimately, Barak asserts that while a strong Israeli response is inevitable, it was not a preordained outcome. He believes missed opportunities to de-escalate the situation, driven by Netanyahu's political choices, played a significant role in the current crisis. He concludes with a Roman proverb about the importance of having a clear destination in order to navigate effectively, underscoring the need for a comprehensive strategy in this complex geopolitical landscape.
Source: Israel may launch symbolic attack on Iran nuclear-related facilities, says Ehud Barak