Potential War with Iran: Israel Concerned About Its Own Military Capabilities for the First Time

Israeli security officials have expressed deep concern about how much they can rely on their defense capabilities and US support in the event of a potential new conflict with Iran. The Times of Israel reported that analysts believe that another conflict with Iran could leave Israel “less prepared” than before.

The main cause of concern is Iran’s growing missile threat, which has now become even greater than the 12-day war that took place in June last year. The latest conflict did not reveal the true extent of Iran’s missile capabilities, but it did highlight the limitations of Israel’s existing defense system.

Tehran is moving forward with the reorganization and modernization of its missile arsenal, while Israel and the US still face a long-standing problem in producing interceptor missiles. Experts believe that this situation could fundamentally change the nature of future missile conflicts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of a second strike on Iran with US President Donald Trump. In a meeting at the White House, Netanyahu expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and provided information about discussions about the reconstruction of Hezbollah’s long-range missiles in Lebanon.

A US official told Axios that the discussion also included the possibility of a new attack on Iran in 2026. Last June, Iran’s nuclear facilities and missile capabilities were targeted. Trump said that if Iran rebuilds its nuclear program, the United States will destroy it again.

Israel has warned in recent weeks that Iran and Hezbollah are developing their missile capabilities. In response, the Iranian president has threatened harsh retaliation. At the same time, Iran’s foreign minister has called for talks to resume in an “atmosphere of respect.”

In June, the US military launched a 12-day war with Israel, striking key Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes killed top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists and targeted several nuclear facilities.

Trump also agreed to move forward with a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and pledged to support Israeli military action if Hamas did not disarm. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 71,000 people and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023. The UN estimates that reconstruction in the territory will cost an estimated $70 billion.