Iran will try further attacks as Israel continues Gaza offensive, defense expert says

Buskila noted that while Israel had dealt significant blows to Tehran’s nuclear program, the threat remains unresolved.

Iran will try to harm Israel in various ways as Israel launches its Gaza City offensive, Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Yaron Buskila, CEO of The Israel Defense and Security Forum, said in a Sunday interview, while discussing the possibility of another Israeli strike in Iran.

“Ideologically, they have no intention of staying uninvolved in this event; it is the very purpose of their existence,” he said. “Therefore, ideologically, they will have an interest in targeting us abroad, at Jewish sites, and of course in continuing to use Yemen and the Houthis to act against Israel.”

Buskila noted that while Israel had dealt significant blows to Tehran’s nuclear program, the threat remains unresolved. “I don’t know if Israel is planning another attack in Iran, of course, I’m not privy to the plans. But in my personal opinion, the Iranian story is far from over,” he said.

“It may be that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, but we did not sufficiently damage the Iranians’ ability to launch ballistic missiles, and certainly not their ability to operate their proxies in Yemen and Iraq,” Buskila explained.

“As long as missiles are still being launched, like the missile with a split warhead from Yemen - which is without a doubt Iranian knowledge and guidance - then certainly the story with Iran has not ended. We need to return and strike it again, its missile program and beyond.”

Addressing Yemen directly, Buskila argued that Tehran remains the core driver behind attacks against Israel.

Tehran is the root of Houthi attacks against Israel

He said that missile fire from the Houthis should not be seen as an independent threat, but as an attack directed by Iran.

"Especially after striking them hard, with the significant governmental and economic damage caused to Iran, we must continue to target the Iranian leadership. I believe that every launch from Yemen must be met with a response - both in Yemen and in Iran - in addition to completing the strikes on their missile launch capabilities.”

Looking ahead, Buskila emphasized the importance of careful timing in directly confronting Iran.

“Israel needs to think about when the right time will be in order to stay focused and not divide attention between Gaza and Iran, because it may be that at a certain stage in the war we will have to do so - perhaps after the main offensive in Gaza. Sooner or later, action in Iran is necessary, important for removing the long-term threat,” he concluded.