Tensions between Iran and Israel have reached new heights as both countries engage in pointed exchanges of warnings against a backdrop of instability in the region. The age-old animosity, rooted in ideological, political, and strategic competition, has escalated in recent months, with Tehran’s expanding missile and drone programs raising alarm in Tel Aviv. Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran cannot cooperate with the United States unless Washington stops supporting Israel, closes its military bases, and ends its interference in the Middle East, Times of Israel reported, citing local media.
Who is behind the 2000 missile threat?
According to a report published in the New York Times, Iran is ramping up its missile production with the goal of being able to fire 2,000 missiles all at once during any future war with Israel to overwhelm some of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world.
What is the cost of Israel’s defense measures?
As a result of the threats of Iranian missile attacks, Israel is preparing for a huge increase in its defense budget. To this end, the Israeli Defence Ministry requested from the Government a budget of 144 billion shekels (USD 44.7 billion). Of this total, approximately 7 billion shekels (USD 2.2 billion) will be used to counter the Iranian missile and drone buildup and purchase Chinese weapons.
According to a report from Calcalist, Israel’s financial newspaper under the umbrella of Yedioth Ahronoth Media Corp, Major General Amir Baram, the Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry, stated that Israel is seeking emergency supplies immediately due to threats from Iranian enemies. He stated that, considering Iran is performing military drills and expanding its arsenal, Israel needs to develop weapons, tank parts, drones, and build up the border walls with the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to create its national security.
In June, Israel initiated a military operation directed against Iran’s nuclear and military installations. In response to the Israeli operation, Iran responded with the launch of hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel. In the aftermath of the Israeli attack, the United States also conducted attacks directed on June 22 specifically at Iran’s nuclear facilities on the cities of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump claimed success in the operation by stating that Iran’s nuclear program had become completely obliterated. Afterward, Iranian officials later acknowledged that there had indeed been significant damage done to its nuclear facilities as a result of the coordinated attacks.
Meanwhile, Trump’s repeated remarks on the US destroying Iran’s nuclear sites and causing a major setback to its nuclear development programme have gained much pace following a CNN finding that suggested that the strikes did not destroy nuclear sites in Iran as claimed by the US President or his administration. The findings, first reported by CNN, citing seven individuals briefed on the assessments, noted that the early evaluation from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested that the attacks only caused a temporary disruption, possibly setting Tehran’s nuclear program back by a few months, as cited by news agency ANI(as reported on June 26).
In its support of the defense needs of the nation, the Israeli Finance Ministry has voiced caution over possible economic risk and concern for the wealth of the nation, before vigorously accusing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of disorderliness with weapons excess.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- “We crushed Iran’s axis of evil. We distanced and neutralized the dual threat from Iran—the nuclear threat and the ballistic threat alike,” Netanyahu said.
- The Israeli Finance Ministry has expressed caution about potential economic risks and concern for the nation’s wealth.
- In June, Israel initiated a military operation directed against Iran’s nuclear and military installations.
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran cannot cooperate with the United States unless Washington stops supporting Israel,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset on Monday in the midst of mounting criticism from opposition lawmakers and reiterated the point that Iran was still viewed as a serious threat to Israel. He stated, however, that the 12-day war in June had weakened Tehran substantially.
“We crushed Iran’s axis of evil. We distanced and neutralized the dual threat from Iran—the nuclear threat and the ballistic threat alike,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Iran International. Furthermore, he added, “This is a real threat, but not what it once was. We act with determination, initiative, and strategy.” On June 24, the 12-day war ended with a US-negotiated ceasefire halting the two sides’ military actions. But in the months since, officials in both Iran and Israel have publicly suggested the possibility of additional conflict.
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