Israel Mulls Strikes on Iran’s Oil and Nuclear Sites After Missile Attack

In response to Iran's major ballistic missile attack on Israel, the Israeli government is reportedly considering striking key Iranian infrastructure, such as oil rigs and nuclear sites. According to Israeli officials cited by media reports, the potential responses also include targeted assassinations and attacks on Iran’s air defense systems.

An attack on Iranian oil facilities could severely impact Iran’s economy, while striking nuclear sites would mark a significant escalation in the nearly year-long conflict that began with Hamas’s invasion of Israel in October 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with his security cabinet to discuss the options. The missile attack, which saw 181 ballistic missiles fired directly at Israel from Iran, was mostly thwarted by Israel’s advanced air defense systems, but the assault has led to renewed calls for a decisive Israeli response.

Netanyahu made his position clear after the attack: “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it,” vowing that Israel would strike back against any aggressor. The security cabinet met in Jerusalem’s bunker on Tuesday night, agreeing on military retaliation but without finalizing the specifics.

Coordination with the United States is expected to play a key role in determining the scope of Israel’s response. Netanyahu is expected to discuss the situation with U.S. President Joe Biden, who has signaled support for an Israeli military response. The White House has condemned Iran’s attack, with U.S. officials warning that Tehran would face “severe consequences.”

Though U.S. officials support an Israeli response, they have urged caution, emphasizing that any military action should be measured to avoid further escalation.

Israeli officials, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, have called for a robust response. “The response must be harsh, and send a clear message to the entire axis: Iran, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza,” Lapid said, referring to the Iranian-backed terror groups in the region.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called for even stronger measures, urging Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear program and energy infrastructure. Speaking on CNN, Bennett described the current moment as a “once in a 50-year opportunity” to weaken Iran’s regime and eliminate its nuclear threat.

“The Iranian regime is weaker now than ever, and it’s time to hit,” Bennett said. “It’s time to destroy the nuclear program and finally allow the Iranian people to rise up.”

As discussions continue, the Biden administration has pledged to work with Israel, with President Biden warning that Tehran’s next moves “remain to be seen.”

With Israel’s leaders weighing their options, and the U.S. signaling support, the situation remains fluid, and any military action could drastically change the landscape of the conflict.

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