An Israeli diplomat has stated to Newsweek that a large-scale conflict with Iran is unavoidable and has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to take decisive action against the Islamic Republic sooner rather than later.
“It’s unavoidable,” said Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, a special envoy from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, highlighting the escalating tensions that could lead to war with Iran.
This alarming forecast arises as Iran has vowed retaliation against Israel for the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. In response, the U.S. has sought to prevent a major conflict by encouraging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Haniyeh’s successor, Yahya Sinwar, to agree to a ceasefire amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
With fresh talks resuming, Hassan-Nahoum, a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem, noted that the threatening rhetoric from Iran has created a tense environment in Israel, where she feels Iran and its allies are succeeding in psychological warfare.
However, she emphasized that the fear of an Iranian strike extends beyond Israel. Arab nations in the region, she said, are increasingly supportive of efforts to counter the Islamic Republic, even if the U.S. is hesitant to take a strong stance.
“I don’t think the U.S. realizes that the ultimate aim must be regime change in Iran,” Hassan-Nahoum asserted.
U.S. Military Action Against Iran
Hassan-Nahoum believes that the U.S. could defeat Iran “in half a day.” She suggested that all the U.S. would need to do is target Iran’s nuclear facilities using advanced military technology that only America possesses. “We can’t do this alone,” she stated, advocating for strikes on key infrastructure to enable the Iranian populace to rise against their government.
Despite Iran’s strengthening ties with Russia, she argued that Russia’s current challenges in Ukraine would hinder its ability to support Iran during a U.S. attack.
“Now is the critical moment,” she said, referring to Russia’s defensive struggles in Ukraine.
Concerns About U.S. Engagement
Despite her strong views, Hassan-Nahoum expressed skepticism about whether the Biden administration would take such action. Although Biden has conducted airstrikes against Iran-aligned militia groups in various regions, no U.S. administration has directly attacked Iran since the 1979 revolution.
Even Donald Trump, who ordered the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, opted against further military action during moments of crisis.
Concerns persist about the consequences of a potential collapse of the Iranian state, especially with extremist groups like ISIS seeking to exploit the chaos.
Hassan-Nahoum suggested that Biden could secure a legacy akin to that of Winston Churchill by decisively confronting Iran, but she doubts he would take such a path.
The Conflict’s Wider Implications
The conflict has intensified, involving a variety of non-state actors aligned with Iran. These groups have launched attacks on Israel, compounding the crisis.
As the U.S. calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, officials maintain that they are prepared to defend Israel against any Iranian aggression, which could emerge suddenly.
Iran has indicated it would support a ceasefire if Hamas agrees, while asserting its right to retaliate for Haniyeh’s assassination.
Meanwhile, Iranian leaders continue to criticize the Israeli government, drawing parallels to Nazi tactics as tensions rise following the Gaza conflict that began with a Hamas attack resulting in substantial casualties.
Strategic Missteps
Hassan-Nahoum lamented a lack of strategic communication from the Israeli government, which she believes hampers their ability to convey their narrative effectively in the media.
She pointed out that the war’s realities are not well understood in the U.S., as American wars have largely occurred overseas.
The Nuclear Threat
With ongoing exchanges of threats, Iranian officials have reaffirmed their intent to defend against actions perceived as aggressive. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri emphasized that Iran would use its full military capabilities to confront Israeli threats.
Amidst fears of an eventual Iranian nuclear capability, Hassan-Nahoum stressed the urgency of action, warning that if Iran succeeds in acquiring nuclear weapons, it would pose a grave threat to global security.
