Israel's Iran challenge demands strategy beyond military might

While the world welcomed an agreement to end the latest round of fighting between the United States and Iran, Israel's reaction was markedly different, with its stock market declining and politicians voicing significant concern. This divergence underscores a core reality for Israel: no outside power will ever prioritize confronting the Islamic Republic as much as Israel itself does.

Iran's strategic success lies in its ability to multiply its power through regional partners and proxies, amplifying its influence while minimizing its own costs. This approach has allowed Tehran to project power effectively despite economic weaknesses and international isolation. For Israel, which faces a decades-long confrontation with a hostile regime committed to rebuilding its capabilities, a comprehensive strategy is essential.

Israel has long viewed Iran primarily as a military problem, but Iran sees the confrontation as political, regional, and strategic. To counter this, Israel must adopt a similarly comprehensive approach. This includes developing a political strategy to support a fragmented Iranian opposition, which currently lacks the necessary infrastructure, resources, and organization to challenge the regime effectively. Publicly supporting regime change can be counterproductive, allowing Tehran to label opponents as foreign agents; therefore, the most effective support is often the least visible.

Furthermore, Israel must move beyond a Western-centric view of partnerships. While the United States remains an indispensable ally, recent years have shown the risks of overdependence. A strategy that cultivates diverse partnerships and addresses Iran on multiple fronts, political, regional, and strategic, is crucial for Israel's long-term security.