Israel Enters “Next Phase” of War With Iran After Crippling Air Defenses

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israel says its war against Iran is entering a more intense phase after the Israeli Air Force achieved broad air superiority and severely weakened the regime’s military infrastructure.

According to Israeli military officials, the campaign — known as Operation Roaring Lion — has already seen more than 5,000 bombs dropped on Iranian targets. Israel is preparing for one to two more weeks of operations aimed at striking thousands of additional regime and military sites.

In a recorded address Thursday evening, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military is transitioning to the next stage of the war following the success of the opening strikes.

“Within the first 24 hours of the operation, the Israeli Air Force paved the way to Tehran,” Zamir said. “We are now transitioning to the next phase of the campaign, in which we will intensify strikes against the regime’s foundations and military capabilities.”

According to the IDF, the campaign has already destroyed about 80% of Iran’s air-defense systems and more than 60% of its ballistic missile launchers, dramatically weakening Tehran’s ability to retaliate.

Israeli airstrikes have focused heavily on Tehran and surrounding areas. In one of the largest attacks, more than 100 Israeli fighter jets dropped over 250 bombs on a massive military compound in eastern Tehran that housed headquarters for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Quds Force, the Basij paramilitary organization, and other security units.

Israeli officials say the campaign is being carried out in close coordination with the United States in what military leaders describe as an unprecedented joint operation.

“This is a historic collaboration,” Zamir said. “Two of the world’s most powerful militaries are dominating the skies of the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

Under the joint framework, Israeli forces are focusing on missile launchers and regime infrastructure in western and central Iran, while U.S. forces are striking launch sites in southern Iran and targeting Iran’s naval assets.

Zamir also warned that the campaign came just in time to prevent Iran from reaching a strategic point where its military infrastructure would have been far harder to dismantle.

“Had we waited any longer, Iran would have entered a zone of immunity, and the danger would have increased,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that its operations have expanded to confront Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Zamir said Israeli forces killed the head of Hezbollah’s firing unit, known as Fidaa, responsible for attacks that killed Israeli civilians and soldiers.

“Hezbollah made a strategic error and chose to join the campaign,” Zamir said. “Now it is paying a heavy price.”

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