Israeli analyst to US: ‘Go all the way to defeat Iran’

Decisive action now could prevent a prolonged cycle of conflict with Iran, argues Israeli security expert Zvi Yehezkeli.

By World Israel News Staff

A prominent Israeli security analyst is urging the United States to significantly intensify its military campaign against Iran, arguing that only a sustained and decisive victory will deter Tehran and prevent a prolonged cycle of conflict.

Zvi Yehezkeli, an Arab affairs analyst and veteran commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, said recent U.S. strikes on Iranian targets demonstrate that Washington is still exercising restraint rather than applying overwhelming military pressure.

Speaking to i24NEWS, Yehezkeli argued that the United States has deliberately limited both the scope of its operations and the types of targets it is willing to hit in an effort to avoid triggering a broader regional escalation.

“The United States is choosing not to strike targets that would provoke a disproportionate response from Iran, and that’s a shame,” Yehezkeli said.

“Precisely now, when the Iranians obviously believe they ‘have the upper hand,’ it’s possible to strike them through the leadership, the media, through channels that are painful to the Revolutionary Guards — especially those related to their control and the appearance of control. Not to mention cyber operations, which can be carried out covertly and inflict great pain,” he added.

Yehezkeli argued that Washington should avoid repeating what he described as Israel’s mistakes in dealing with Hamas over many years. He pointed to Israel’s previous strategy of conducting periodic, limited military operations against the terror group—a policy commonly referred to within Israel’s security establishment as “mowing the grass.”

Numerous rounds of limited conflict with Hamas, he said, allowed the terror group to recover between wars rather than permanently degrading its capabilities.

After the mini-wars, Hamas “only emerged stronger, especially in the eyes of its own public,” Yehezkeli stressed.

“Iran feels the same way, and it’s important for the United States to make them understand that they’re mistaken.”

Yehezkeli maintained that the current American approach is not producing the level of deterrence necessary to change Tehran’s strategic calculations.

“This period should be used for much harsher strikes,” he emphasized.