iran

Ex-security chief: Israel needs to attack Iran to stop nukes, ‘ring of fire'.
Maj. Gen. Amidror: There might come a situation where we will have to act directly in Iran to stop the Iranians. The world is not ready to act…not NATO, not the US…they prefer to close their eyes.

Tensions escalate amid intense Israeli-Iranian conflict.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof interview with Chinese Xinhua News Agency.

A critical point has been reached where sanctions and military conflict connect. Tehran needs and seeks a limited military confrontation with the West in order to shore-up its legitimacy at home.

A worldwide network of terrorist groups and alliances is Iran’s strategic weapon for any military escalation scenario. A systematic counterterrorist strategy is necessary to deprive Iran of this powerful tool.

America must provide Iranian demonstrators with access to the Internet to bolster the protests.

Given Iran’s presence in Syria, Israel must employ focused, operative rhetoric and policy versus the strategic threats it faces.

Israel is expected by its European interlocutors to condemn Putin over his misdeeds, yet Israel wants to avoid frictions with Russia in order to maintain a free hand to operate against Iranian targets in Syria.

Iranian strike on Saudi oil facilities a global wake-up call, defense official warns.
Dr. Uzi Rubin of JISS: We are advancing in cruise missiles, and the Iranians are advancing. This is an arms race.

Will the people succeed in undermining the Iranian plan to spread power across the region?

If it weren't for the Iranian regime's distress, it might decide to tread water until US President Trump was out of office. But its resources are limited, and the possibility that the ayatollahs might attack Israel out of desperation is very real.

Escalating tensions with Iran should be a warning that Tehran’s strategy of training and arming proxy terror groups throughout the Middle East is not being countered aggressively enough.

Chinese investment in Iran would help Tehran withstand US economic pressures, and exacerbate the Western crisis with Iran

Deadlock between Washington and Tehran won’t easily turn into détente even if Trump and Rohani do find a way to meet in New York. However, even a tentative rapprochement between the US and Iran would severely strain Israel’s close ties with the White House.

Riyadh and Tehran on the brink.
KAN's Mark Weiss askes Dr. Yossi Mansharof if he was surprised by the attacks on the Saudi oil installations.

"There is no good or bad terrorism. Iran cannot threaten Israel's destruction"
Sujan R. Chinoy, Director-General of the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, visited Israel under the auspices of JISS. He says he is optimistic about India’s relationship with Israel: "It is greater than any temporary political climate."

The new enemy just over the Syrian border.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Iran is exploiting the lack of a centralized power in Afghanistan and Pakistan to enlist support for and manpower for its militias.

TRUMP’S GOT A ‘GOOD FEELING’ ABOUT IRAN? NETANYAHU SHOULD BE NERVOUS.
Prof. Inbar: I do not see the Iranians signing on any deal that will force them to give up their nuclear capability.

Attacks on Iranian targets in Syria serve Russian interests.
Col. Lerman of JISS: Down the road, what the Iranians want to do in Syria and what the Russians want to do in Syria are two totally different things.

Israel’s Shadow War With Iran Widens as Netanyahu Faces Close Election Contest.
General Amidror of JISS: We declared a few years ago that we will not let the Iranians build an independent Iranian war machine.

More than a decade of civil strife has opened up the region for the escalating state-to-state conflict.

The US should focus on closing sanctions-bypassing channels (especially through Turkey and Qatar), and on eroding Iranian currency reserves. Use the massive legal judgments against Iran for its role in terrorism to hit the country’s currency reserves.

Iran Increases Hamas Funding in Exchange for Intel on Israel Missiles.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Tehran asked Hamas to provide intelligence on the locations of Israeli missile stockpiles in exchange for the funding.

Based in Lebanon but entrenched in Latin America, Hezbollah helps Iran spread global terrorism.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: The Trump administration is determined to fight the Iranian and Hezbollah presence in South America.

Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign must not be curtailed before Iran’s leaders truly have no choice but to capitulate to Western demands.

It is complicit in Hizballah’s terrorism and subversion, in Europe and the US.

THE QUESTION ISRAEL’S LEADERS ASK EVERY DAY: WILL TOMORROW BE TOO LATE?
General Amidror of JISS: Iran’s strategic plan is to create a deterrence barrier around Israel, stretching from Lebanon to Syria to Iraq to the Gaza Strip, in order to threaten Israel with an overwhelming and devastating strike on its homeland, should Israel attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iran's declaration on uranium enrichment.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof on Kan English News.

Tension between the United States and Iran.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof in an interview to "Strictly Security".

Iranians view Trump as ‘tougher’ than Obama, but will it push them to more extreme actions?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Trump is trying to intimidate Iran to come to the negotiating table.

Israel needs to be prepared for potentially dramatic consequences, including rapid deterioration towards confrontation on all Israel’s borders. Resilience and readiness to act can serve to deter provocations by Iran’s proxies. Ultimately, only a credible military threat from Israel will indicate to friend and foe alike that in a showdown, Iran will be forced to back down.

Professor Efraim Inbar on escalation in US-Iran tensions.

Iran is continually expanding its military, economic and political presence in Syria. Bashar al-Assad’s February 25 visit to Iran was an important marker in these efforts. Assad met with Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, who labeled him the “hero of the Arab world.” The presence of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and

In the remote deserts of western Iraq, Iran’s servants are busily at work preparing a new front against Israel.

Interview with Dr. Eran Lerman on Iran crisis.
With Israelis closely watching developments between the US and Iran, as well as Iran’s actives through its proxies in the Persian Gulf, TIP spoke with Col. in reserves, Dr. Eran Lerman, for his assessment of the situation.

The notion that Hamas could be incentivised by the injection of funds from Qatar has proven erroneous or deeply problematic.

Amidror: Iran Behind the Gaza Escalation.
Why did the Islamic Jihad do this? The answer is again and again and again - Iran.

Iran is not likely to target American troops, since Teheran’s strategy is to wait-out the Trump administration.

The Iranian “corridor” is a central project for the mullahs in Iraq and Syria, involving a highway which would connect Tehran with Damascus.

Iran to Lease Part of Latakia Port – Reports.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: The rivalry between Tehran and Moscow is becoming “more visible” in post-war Syria.

The Golan Heights is Israel’s best northern defense line, especially since Iranian forces have moved into Syria. US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty on the Golan along with Israel’s military superiority ensure a secure border.

The EU’s insistence on preserving the nuclear agreement with Iran and its persistent efforts to establish a mechanism for evading American trade sanctions are encouraging Iran to escalate its subversion throughout Europe.

Tehran eyes vital Syrian port of Latakia as gateway to Med.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Moscow is likely to allow Israel to launch strikes on Iranian targets around Latakia if it uses the port to ship weapons.

Armed opposition groups emerging from the Kurdish, Baloch and Ahvazi Arab minorities have stepped-up attacks on regime assets in Iran. Tehran is responding by acting against these opponents, in Pakistan and Iraq and further afield. But these insurgencies are not capable by themselves of calling the regime’s viability into question, because of their relatively narrow bases of support.

The Rift Inside Iran's Governing Bodies.
Interpretation following the resignation of Foreign Minister Zarif. Dr. Yossi Mansharof in an interview with i24.

The Houthi rebellion in Yemen, with its horrendous consequences for the country's civilian population, is being instigated primarily by Iranian assistance and direction for the rebels, together with Russian growing involvement in the conflict. An end to the fighting therefore depends to a large extent on the willingness of external countries to continue their fomenting of the conflict.

The attempted resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif didn't come as a complete surprise. It reflects the utter supremacy of the Revolutionary Guard in the Iranian political sphere.

Israeli generals, diplomats address ability to deter Iran’s ‘war with Israel’
General Amidror: “We don’t expect anyone to fight for Israel. Israel will defend itself, by itself.”

The Iranian media claimed that millions filled the streets on the 40th anniversary of the Iranian revolution. The opposition, however says that fewer people participated. Iran's nuclear program will not protect the regime against the people's antipathy.

Israel has not fully deterred Iranian aggression in Syria.
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Iran still remains determined to open a second front against Israel in Syria.

One way Iran’s efforts are taking place are below the official Syrian state structures – in the arming and sponsoring of Iran-controlled paramilitary formations on Syria soil.

Israel Confirms Attacks on Iranian Targets in Syria.
Major General (res.) Yaakov Amidror :“If you want to make clear to the other side that you are determined to prevent something, either you escalate the operation, or you say in public I’m doing it, meaning I’m ready to take the risk”.

'Israel will continue to react to military entrenchment by Iran'
Israel has carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus. The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed the military operation in an tweet earlier this morning. Radio Sputnik discussed the development with Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies.

How critical are American boots on the ground in Syria for Israel?
General Amidror: “Declaring Israeli sovereignty over the Golan won’t help us in acting against the Iranians, but it won’t stop us from acting against the Iranians.”

Amidror headlines launch of GPO Café.
“The Iranians know that Israel has red lines in Syria and on the Golan Heights, and we are very determined.”

Iran is taking advantage of the crises created by ISIS and the Arab Spring to advance its land route project from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. The American withdrawal from Syria will remove one of the obstacles that stand in Iran’s path, yet Israel has demonstrated its determination to prevent the establishment of this route.

Iran: Back in Focus.
A report on the JISS conference about confronting Iran.

The Shi'ite militia threat isn't a mere thought exercise about a worst-case scenario. Iranian-controlled Popular Mobilization Forces leaders have already threatened Israel only miles from Israeli homes.

It is highly unlikely that Iran will agree to any limitation on its missile programs, despite Trump administration pressures. For Iran's leadership, to concede on missiles is to concede on the regime’s global ambitions.

Syrian regime closes accounts with West and Israel-linked rebels, as Iran builds and expands its presence in the area.

Why is murder by Iran, but not Saudi Arabia, permissible?
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: While it is outrageous for President Trump to let Saudi Arabia get away with murder, the atomic agreement was also indefensible. At the end of the day this is about realpolitik.

Sanctions could drive a wedge between Iranians who focus inwards and hardliners committed to Iran’s bid for regional dominance. It is clearly in the interest of those who seek to bring about a drastic change in Iranian behavior to drive this wedge deeper by supporting the sanctions and raising the costs of revolutionary adventurism.

Iran is now manufacturing, upgrading missiles in Iraq, sources say.
Speaking at JISS, strategic affairs minister warns of scenario in which Iran is fighting Israel on multiple fronts, including in Judea and Samaria.

Liberman at JISS: US Sanctions Will Reduce Iran’s Terror Financing Former NSC Chief Yaakov Amidror says Russia will be embarrassed when IDF overcomes S-300 in Syria.

Poll: 91% of Israelis favor strikes on Iranian ‎assets in Syria.
Some 77% of respondents believe ‎Israel must pursue hard-line policies to thwart Iran's nuclear ‎ambitions, Jerusalem Institute for ‎Strategic Studies poll finds. It also finds 57% are ‎pleased with how PM Netanyahu ‎is handling the Iranian threat. ‎

Europeans working hard to sabotage US sanctions on Iran.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Germany and France want to circumvent U.S. sanctions for business reason. And the EU hates Trump, and will do whatever it can to circumvent him.

Israel must continue to take the offensive against Iran’s nuclear program, without reliance on international inspectors.

In the absence of a clear American or Turkish determination to confront Iranian encroachment, only Israel has the power to stop it.

Iran is hiding its efforts to establish a presence in Syria, for both internal and external reasons. This policy involves numerous internal contradictions and to avoid admitting to them, the IRGC and Hezbollah are conducting a propaganda campaign.

While Israel should steer away from overt identification with internal challengers in Iran, this is the time to urge the US. and other like-inded nations to ratchet up the pressure on the regime, explaining to the Iranian people the growing cost of their leaders' ambitions.

Will Iraqi territory be used to fire rockets on Israel from Iran?
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: Israel needs to be ready to take military risks to prevent Iran from establishing its own forces in Syria.

Israel’s opposition to Iranian entrenchment in Syria and Lebanon is twofold: To prevent Iran from building a beachhead against Israel through its proxies on Israel’s borders, and to impede development of Iran’s nuclear and long-range missile capabilities. Israel is absolutely determined and prepared to act forcefully against Iran, which could lead to a full-scale war. Israel must win this struggle against Iran, one way or another.

Israel has fully joined the battle in Syria—but it's not clear it can achieve any of its goals there.

On restoring relations between Tehran and Washington. If the protests in Iran expand, Trump will be able to exert greater pressure on Tehran.

Iran's goal in its activity in the Western Sahara is to subvert Morocco, a moderate Sunni state, as part of the Iranian regime's policy of spreading the Shi'ite revolution.

With an eye on Syria, Israel seeks broader truce in Gaza.
General Amidror: Israel needs to focus on the real issue: Iran in Syria, not on Hamas.

JISS fellow Dr. Jonathan Spyer travelled in late July to the SDF enclave in eastern Syria. He reports that maintenance of this enclave is critical to keeping a substantial physical obstacle to the Iranian goal of a contiguous corridor from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean.

If recruiting a disgraced former official with no access to updated information is the best Iran's spymasters could do, Israel's intelligence superiority is in no danger.

Prof. Efraim Inbar on Iran, Trump and Turkey
Australian Jewish News, 8.6.2018

Ex-Israeli officials: Why would we expect NATO to help us in an Iran war?
Dr. Eran Lerman: “We never asked for anyone to defend us!"

Iran enjoyed and benefited from the moment when the Arab world was at its most fragmented, and the West at its most rudderless.

Israel must make it clear to Hamas that letting Islamic Jihad trigger another widespread escalation does not serve its interests or its continued existence.

Bad management, corruption and a failure of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to generate expected levels of foreign investment compound the problem.

Does Israel require that all presence of the Iranians be removed from Syria, down to the last proxy fighter? If so, then conflict between Tehran and Jerusalem is a near inevitability, since there is no chance of Iran acquiescing to this except by coercion. On the other hand, if the Israeli intention is to prevent the Iranians from transferring certain weapons systems into Syria — advanced anti-aircraft systems, ballistic missiles, drones — then conflagration may not be so imminent.

Trump's announcement on Iran deal decision.
Dr. Eran Lerman on france 24 news

Israel's intelligence branches need to understand what was destroyed and then identify where and how Iran intends to push its military build-up forward – and neutralize that as well.

The Iranian provocation on the Golan Heights failed, and the Iranians would do well to cut their losses now and end their confrontation with Israel.

DEFENSE EXPERT: IRAN DID NOT DEPLOY ITS BEST MISSILES IN THURSDAY ATTACK
Uzi Rubin: Iran has more advanced missiles which it did not use.

EXPERT: IRAN LIKELY TO CONTINUE NUCLEAR PROGRAM WHEN NUCLEAR DEAL EXPIRES
Prof. Efraim Inbar: It was quite clear that the Americans were not surprised by the speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and they knew about it in advance.

The broader context to US President Trump’s recent decisions to nix the nuclear deal with Iran and to move the US embassy to Jerusalem is restoration of America’s credibility as a world power after eight years of diffident presidential leadership.

Bucking world opinion, Trump withdraws from Iran nuclear deal, imposes ‘highest level of economic sanctions’
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: "Iran will try to keep the agreement going for the cash and test economic ties with other powers. And it will be easier for Iran to cheat on the agreement without the U.S. involved.”

Israel girds for Tehran’s revenge as the price of getting Iran out of Syria
General Amidror: “We let Hezbollah amass 120,000 missiles in Lebanon. We will not make the same mistake in Syria.”

Israel welcomes U.S. pullout of Iran deal amid high alert over Iranian response
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Israel's deterrence is increasingly stronger

Many criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unveiling of a secret Iranian nuclear archive as "nothing new" and "a performance." But there was plenty new in his presentation, and it will have far-reaching implications.

Israel's revelation of Iran's nuclear deception aims to show the world that the 2015 deal with Iran must indeed be renegotiated in the interests of global peace.

The wars in Syria are far from over. Israeli policy has been largely successful in preventing the fire from Syria coming over the border, and this effort should continue. But Iranian entrenchment in Syria complicates matters.

Iran should understand that Israel has the ability to reach the most sensitive places in Tehran.

The French president's visit to served to demonstrate Macron's importance as a dynamic and proactive European player, and as a partner in the effort to curb Iran's strategic ambitions.

Suspected Israeli strikes hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, escalating regional tensions.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer of JISS: With Israel determined to prevent the “consolidation and entrenchment” of Iranian influence in Syria, “the chances of confrontation between Israel and Iran are quite significant.”

Are the Europeans stalling, trying to bait Trump in keeping the nuclear deal alive?
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Macron’s true mission was to buy more time and convince Trump to remain in the deal.

How secure is Israel at 70?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Even with the Iran threat looming, we are still in a strong strategic situation

Don't congratulate the administration on avoiding Russian retaliation. The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains, and the real collision course here is between Israel and Iran.

The American-British-French strike in Syria should be seen as an exercise in building Western deterrence and creditability in advance of the decision expected next month regarding the nuclear deal with Iran.

With global tensions on the rise, Israel could find itself alone, both in the struggle to prevent a nuclear Iran and in trying to contain Iran's actions in Syria.

Russia may demand due consideration, but Israel has proved time and again that it will not allow Iran to tighten its grip on Syria, even if doing so stokes regional tensions.

Given the bad nuclear deal signed with Iran, Israel must be diligent about risk management; no matter how relentless intelligence gathering efforts are, not all threats can be countered. Israel will not allow enemy states to go nuclear.

A hard look at the Israeli admission of 2007 attack on a Syrian nuclear reactor, and its message for Iran.
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Striking Iranian facilities would be much more difficult.
World Israel News 22.03.2018

Might more be done to advance an Iranian counter-revolution? Uri Lubrani certainly thought so, and he was not naive.

With Iran operating in Syria, Israel girds itself for 'First Northern War'
General Amidror: Israel will have to face two fronts at the same time: one in Syria, one in Lebanon
CBC News, 01.03.18

Iran, Deeply Embedded in Syria, Expands ‘Axis of Resistance’ Gen. Amidror: “Israel face not only quantities of Hezbollah missiles, but the threat to vulnerable strategic sites.” By Ben Hubbard, Isabel Kershner and Anne Barnard, The New York Times, Feb. 19, 2018

With the weakening of ISIS, the growing strength of Russia in Syria, and the continuing retraction of American involvement in the region – Iran apparently feels emboldened enough to escalate its confrontation with Israel.

Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Putin has the ability to rein in the Iranians. The Media Line, 11.2.2018

Secret Iranian missile factory in Lebanon requires preemptive Israeli attack. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar: Preemptive attack is an option.

What needs “nixing” is not the JCPOA – a piece of paper – but the Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

Too early to judge Netanyahu-Trump impact on Iran deal in Davos. Comment by Dr. Eran Lerman World Israel News 29.1.2018

Can Trump and Netanyahu get Europe to push back against Iran’s ballistic missiles? Col. Eran Lerman: “Trump and Netanyahu cannot get backing on the nuclear deal but they can get Europe to take a stand on the missiles." World Israel News, 25.1.2018

On Russia’s anti-Trump posturing regarding Iran Comment by Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, The Media Line, 06.01.2018

The recent protests in Iran are very important because they point to the Iranian leadership's economic failures, and the consequent anger harbored by a considerable number of Iranian citizens over their country's investments in far-off countries such as Lebanon and Syria. These investments, they feel, are at their expense.

If the United States wants to disengage from the Middle East it should do so with a bang. The address for such a forceful demonstration is clear: the Iranian nuclear program.

Is Europe waking up on the Iranian threat? Not likely, experts say. Comment by Dr. Emmanuel Navon. JNS, 19.12.2017

Israel’s real interest today is to prevent Jordan from being destabilized by Iran, according to Dr. Eran Lerman.

No duplicitous decrees by supreme or smiling ayatollahs should deflect our attention from Tehran’s dangerous moves.

On Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Interview with Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman

A recently disclosed ruling by Iran's supreme leader caps the range of Iran's missiles at 2,000 kilometers, a distance that threatens Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt but doesn’t threaten Western Europe. Practically speaking, this ruling is neither new nor truthful. Europe has a good reason to be concerned.

A few seemingly unrelated incidents that took place across the Middle East this week all seem to point out that much of the regional unrest can be traced back to Iran, which is backing Shiite forces from Pakistan to Syria. That is unlikely to change.

An interview with Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror about Israel's strategy vs. Russia and Iran in Syria, and about the launch of the institute.

Iran is on the march, presenting a significant security challenge to Israel and to moderate Sunni countries. It is investing blood, figuratively and literally, in realizing its aspirations for a Shiite corridor to the Mediterranean Sea, in strengthening its influence in the region via militia forces, in building a nuclear option, and in threatening Israel.

The Iranian situation is both more urgent and more malleable than the almost hopeless situation with North Korea.

Only the use of force can stop Iran from fulfilling its ambitions. Israel is on its own in this regard.