In the aftermath of Iran’s missile strike on October 1—the largest to hit Israel—Israeli forces have launched precision military responses, striking Iranian-linked assets while skillfully avoiding critical oil and nuclear facilities. With the United States urging restraint, Israel has shown it will not easily yield to diplomatic hesitation, having successfully disabled key Hezbollah and Hamas forces in Lebanon and Gaza, along with Iranian drone bases.
This escalation, dubbed “dominance,” restores Israel’s regional superiority, challenging Tehran’s once-aggressive proxy strategy. Iranian forces, seeing their proxies neutralized and air defenses weakened, now face significant threats to their own borders. This response from Israel has forced Iran to recalibrate, with no appetite for an outright war but intense pressure to defend regional influence.
Meanwhile, President Biden has warned against all-out war, but Israel’s recent surge illustrates a historic opportunity: the chance to diminish Iranian influence and disrupt its supply chains. The U.S. administration’s recent deployment of a THAAD missile system to Israel signals support, though Biden’s reluctance to engage directly leaves Israel as the region’s main line of defense. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resolve to prioritize national security aligns with Israeli public sentiment, pushing back against threats and bolstering the nation’s defenses against future aggression.
As regional players watch, the message from Israel is unmistakable: it’s ready to escalate, but on its own terms.
