Historic Turning Point Speculated in Potential Israeli Military Action Against Iran, According to Experts
Unleashing Fury: Israel's Aerial Assault on Iran's Missile Sites
In a bold move, Israel's air force descended upon Western Iran, engaging in a high-stakes mission to annihilate surface-to-surface missile batteries on Thursday, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. (Credit: IDF)
Israel's Relentless Offensive against Iran is bearing fruit, according to experts tracking the escalating conflict, with many claiming that the operation is the culmination of years of meticulous preparation, innovation, and unparalleled intelligence gathering.
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a respected voice on U.S. policy regarding Iran, declared Israel's triumph a "deafening military victory."
"They've taken down the Iron Fist of Iran's military," Dubowitz told our digital platform. "They've toppled key military leaders, dismantled the Iranian Air Force, and wiped out a substantial portion of their missile launchers and ballistic inventory."
However, Iran's retaliation is proving costly. On Thursday, an Iranian missile struck Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center and targeted several major cities, leaving hundreds wounded. Despite the heavy toll, military analysts maintain that the IDF remains the dominant force, both tactically and strategically.
*IRAN THREATENS US WITH 'ALL‐OUT WAR' FOR INTERVENTION*
In the skies above the Middle East, over 600 aerial refuelings have taken place since the beginning of Israel's war with Iran. (IDF)
Dubowitz compared the magnitude of Israel's success to the Six-Day War, stating, "It's starting to look like 1967, when the Israelis decimated five Arab armies. It might take longer than six days, but they're certainly on that trajectory."
Hilla Hadad-Chmelnik, a strategist at the "Mind Israel" think tank and former CEO of the Ministry of Innovation, underscores that Israel's victory is no fluke - it is the result of years of tireless effort in every aspect. From the development of long-range strike capabilities to constructing an unparalleled intelligence network and adapting operational doctrines from Gaza and Lebanon, she claims the current IDF dominance is a testament to both research and real-world experience.
"This isn't a campaign that was put into motion six months ago," she explained. "Years of work have been invested - in intelligence, weapons development, defensive and offensive operations. The tactics we perfected against Hezbollah - striking command chains quickly and precisely - were studied, refined, and employed here."
She highlighted the importance of identifying and neutralizing rocket launchers before strikes commenced, noting the success of this tactic against Hezbollah has been translated to Iran, despite the complex nature of the operation.
LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
A massive plume of smoke and fire rises from an oil refinery in southern Tehran following reports of Israeli airstrikes targeting the site on June 15, 2025. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
Hadad-Chmelnik emphasizes Israel's domination over Iranian skies is "astounding... the Air Force is flooding Iranian skies day after day. Drones are maintaining control."
Even as Iran's missiles find their mark, striking critical targets such as the Soroka hospital complex on Thursday, she attributes this to Israel's sophisticated defensive systems, like Iron Dome and David's Sling – systems she helped create – which have intercepted missile salvos with astonishing effectiveness in the face of relentless barrages. "This is a battle of unprecedented scale, and yet the systems are holding strong," she said.
Dubowitz acknowledges Israel's substantial gains, yet cautions that a key target remains: the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, buried beneath a mountain at a Revolutionary Guard base.
U.S. PRESSURE ON IRAN: DISMANTLING FORDOW NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT FACILITY
An illustration detailing Iran's nuclear facilities, including Arak's heavy water nuclear reactor and the Natanz enrichment plant. (FDD/our website)
"Israel has crippled Iran's nuclear infrastructure. They've eliminated 14 senior nuclear scientists - the pioneers of Iran's program," Dubowitz stated. "But Fordow stands tall. If it remains, Iran can rebuild."
While Dubowitz does not explicitly advocate for U.S. military intervention, he emphasizes that President Trump must ensure Fordow is fully dismantled - either through a diplomatic agreement or, if Iran refuses, a targeted military assault.
He outlines three potential pathways: "One, Iran agrees to a genuine deal, dismantling the program. Two, Trump strikes Fordow. Three, Trump strikes and then negotiates. But the outcome must result in Iran permanently losing its nuclear weapons capability."
A Israeli fighter jet embarks on a mission to Tehran. (IDF)
Hadad-Chmelnik contends that Israel's success has opened doors for the United States, stating, "Thanks to the incredible accomplishments of the IDF, the situation is now crystal clear. If the U.S. were to join at this juncture, with Fordow as the primary remaining target and most assets already degraded, it would not resemble becoming entangled in a quagmire. This is nothing like Ukraine or Afghanistan. There's a definite path to decisive success, and that can shift the political climate in Washington."
Dubowitz echoes her sentiments, reflecting on the pivotal moment with cautious optimism. "The long arm of Israeli justice has reached those responsible for such brutal aggression," he said. "This could prove a significant turning point in Iran's nuclear standoff, perhaps even providing an opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their future. There have been remarkable achievements, but if Fordow is left intact by President Trump, it could result in a hollow victory."
Efrat Lachter is an investigative journalist and war correspondent. Her exceptional work has taken her to 40 countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, and Afghanistan. She is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism. Lachter can be followed on Twitter @efratlachter.
Additional Insights:
- Iran's Retaliation: Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel despite the heavy toll on the Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.
- Iran's Nuclear Threat: The targeted strikes have managed to significantly delay Iran's nuclear program, potentially pushing the timeline back by at least a year. However, the threat remains unresolved, as Iran may continue to advance toward a nuclear weapon in the future.
- Civilian Casualties: Both sides have suffered civilian casualties during the conflict, creating challenges for the domestic opinion and further complicating the resolution of the conflict.
Footnotes:1. "Inside Israel's secret war in Iran: Mossad commandos, hidden drones and the strike that stunned Tehran," our website, June 21, 2025.2. "U.S. must take action to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program before it’s too late," our website, June 22, 2025.
- This ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, characterized by war-and-conflicts, is heavily influenced by politics, with experts analyzing the strategic and tactical moves of both sides.
- In the midst of sports headlines, the comparisons drawn between Israel's current offensive against Iran and the Six-Day War serve as a reminder of the country's triumph in past confrontations, thereby adding a general-news dimension to the discourse.
