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Israeli officials emphasize that this campaign could last weeks, signaling a sustained and possibly expanding military operation. The operation’s timing raises pressing questions: Why now? While Iran's advancing nuclear program—recently boasting new enrichment sites—may provide a trigger, the broader strategic reasoning is tied to a dismantling of Iran’s regional influence, particularly since the devastating October 7th attack attributed broadly to Iran-backed groups.
The Breakdown of Iran’s Regional Proxy Network
Iran’s longstanding strategy against Israel relies on two pillars: