While Israel waits for the Iranian response and a potentially catastrophic attack from several Arab countries, Eliyahu Yousian, an Iran expert, was interviewed this morning (Tuesday) on the 'Israel Hayom' program. He explained what Israel must do now to restore its deterrence power, where we went wrong along the way, and how we will win the war against the enemy.
Yousian first explained the Iranians' delay in responding: Iranians are known for their ability to wait and bide their time before responding, as reflected in their historical actions. After previous operations, it took them several days to respond. Yousian notes that while the Iranians make threats, in practice their response sometimes comes weeks later.
Yousian points out that to understand Iranian behavior, one must examine their readiness for an Israeli response. He emphasizes that a significant Israeli response, such as F-35 planes flying over Tehran, would be a greater humiliation than the targeted assassination of a terrorist leader.
On Israel's mistake, Yousian said: "On the night Iran attacked us with drones, we made a critical mistake by not responding forcefully, not taking public responsibility in a sharp and clear manner, and now we're in exactly the same situation."
"The question is whether we are capable, in a political sense, of freeing ourselves from American commitment, so they don't dictate what we do. Are we capable of launching Jericho missiles to the same extent and taking responsibility? That's what will break the rules of the game."
"If we want to restore Israeli deterrence, only when they see Jericho missiles and F-35 planes, when they see Beirut and Yemen paying a very heavy price - only then will deterrence return, and in much less time."
"The key is speed and force! The point is to signal to Hezbollah that they and southern Lebanon are not the enemy - but Beirut is. To signal to the Houthis that not only the southern part of Yemen is the enemy, but all of Yemen."
"The strength of the response, the speed of the response, and the level of pain we leave on the other side will prove how long we can hold on and restore deterrence power - We need to use maximum force in minimum time."
In conclusion, Yousian said: "Every time we initiated - we paid a lower price. If we initiate a war against Hezbollah, the home front won't pay the price we imagine, but if we don't initiate and, God forbid, another October 7th comes, where Hezbollah initiates - we'll pay dearly. The question is whether Israeli policy is ready to initiate first? And as long as this fear exists - we'll only be the second player."
Channel 14 contributed to this article.
