Israel learns a tough lesson: Iran won't back down easily as attacks refuse to stop - where is the war heading?

Time of India

7 hours ago

Israel Iran conflict is now reaching a dangerous tipping point as questions rise about Israel's ability to strike Iran's nuclear sites without U.S. help. While Israeli jets carry powerful bombs, experts doubt they can destroy underground facilities like Fordow and Natanz alone. Iran, meanwhile, has responded by speeding up its nuclear program and breaching Israeli air defenses in bold retaliation. As President Trump pushes for a deal, the possibility of a wider war looms. This article explores the real power behind both nations, their limits, and what could come next in the most serious Middle East escalation in years.
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Does Israel have the right firepower to strike Iran's nuclear sites?
Is Iran's nuclear program accelerating despite Israeli airstrikes?
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How did Iranian missiles breach Israel's air defense systems?
Did Israel miscalculate Iran's military and leadership resilience?
Is Israel aiming for regime change in Iran?
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Is Israel pushing the U.S. toward a wider war with Iran?
What does the future look like as tensions rise?
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Israel's escalating confrontation with Iran is raising serious global concerns. With Iran's nuclear efforts gaining pace, experts are now asking: Can Israel really destroy Iran's nuclear facilities alone? A detailed report by the Financial Times sheds light on Israel's military limits — especially without direct U.S. backing.Unlike the U.S., which has B-2 stealth bombers capable of carrying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator—designed for deep underground bunkers—Israel's options are far more restricted. Israeli F-15 fighter jets can carry 4,000 to 5,000-pound GBU-28 bunker-buster bombs, which are able to penetrate 5–6 meters of concrete.Israel does have some of these bombs, but their total inventory is unknown. According to Financial Times, experts doubt that Israel has enough to wipe out fortified Iranian facilities like Fordow or Natanz without assistance.'They don't have enough 5,000-pounders,' retired U.S. Air Force General Charles Wald told FT in April. Wald, now affiliated with the Jewish Institute for the National Security of America, warned that solo strikes might not achieve complete success.Evidence on the ground suggests that Israeli strikes may have had the opposite effect. Instead of backing down, Iran has accelerated its nuclear activities. Tehran is now preparing a bill that could move the country closer to exiting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty—a major global shift.This development indicates that limited air raids are no longer effective deterrents. In fact, they may be pushing Iran toward even more aggressive nuclear steps, changing the risk calculations in the region.One of the most alarming revelations was Iran's ability to breach Israel's advanced multi-layered air defense. During a recent missile attack, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it used a new tactic that confused Israeli systems like the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow.While many projectiles were intercepted, others got through, damaging targets and exposing weaknesses. Iran even claimed that the attack led to Israeli defense systems targeting each other — a claim not yet verified independently but deeply troubling if accurate.Despite U.S. technology backing Israel, this breach signals that even cutting-edge defenses can be vulnerable under coordinated missile strikes.Israel's targeted assassinations of senior Iranian commanders were likely intended to disrupt the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Yet, these strikes didn't cripple the command structure. Instead, the IRGC quickly regrouped and maintained operational flow.Experts note that the IRGC is designed to withstand such decapitation tactics. It operates under ideological loyalty, deep compartmentalization, and institutional redundancy. These traits make it highly resilient—even when top leaders are lost.This reality points to a strategic misjudgment: Israel assumed leadership losses would fracture Iran's military. But Iran's defense structure appears far more durable than expected.Israeli officials haven't publicly declared regime change as a goal, but the scale of attacks and high-value leadership targets suggest a possible hidden agenda. According to Reuters, President Donald Trump recently blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — a move that would have dramatically escalated the conflict.Still, history shows that air campaigns alone rarely lead to regime collapse. From Iraq to Libya to Serbia, actual regime change has only occurred through full-scale ground invasions or internal revolutions. Neither option appears feasible for Israel.The Islamic Republic has survived decades of conflict, sanctions, and isolation. Its political and military networks are deeply rooted, making toppling it from the outside incredibly difficult.Israel's push for deeper U.S. involvement may reveal its own limits. Recognizing that it can't eliminate Iran's nuclear program or destabilize the regime alone, Israel appears to be lobbying—both openly and behind the scenes—for broader American military support.But the Biden administration, under President Donald Trump's successor, may not support a direct war. Now, with Trump back in office, the calculus has changed. On Sunday, President Trump called on both Iran and Israel to 'make a deal', signaling a preference for diplomacy. However, he also warned that some fighting might continue before an agreement is possible.Any U.S.-Iran war would disrupt global oil markets, risk American lives across the region, and unleash dangerous instability. Trump appears aware of these risks but hasn't ruled out future military action if needed.Israel has shown military boldness and intelligence reach, but it seems to have underestimated Iran's strategic depth and ability to retaliate. With nuclear sites still operational and Iran striking back with increasing precision, the conflict risks turning into a full-scale war.If Israel continues its military campaign without international coordination, and if the U.S. is drawn deeper into the conflict, the Middle East could face its most dangerous escalation in years. Whether this confrontation ends in diplomacy or war depends on the next steps taken in Jerusalem, Tehran, and Washington.No, experts believe Israel alone lacks the firepower to fully eliminate Iran's underground nuclear sites.Yes, Iran managed to bypass key Israeli defenses like Iron Dome and cause visible damage.