Israeli Minister Threatens Iran with Energy Infrastructure Strikes

Bezalel Smotrich, a senior Israeli cabinet minister, stated that if Iran escalates militarily, Israel will strike its energy infrastructure. Smotrich believes that heavy economic pressure on Iran could push the regime towards military escalation, particularly if Iranian citizens face extreme hardship. He suggested that if the Iranian populace reaches a point of desperation, it could ignite anti-regime movements.

Smotrich also addressed the strategy for managing multiple conflict fronts, indicating that prioritizing certain fronts over others is logical. He commented, "There is logic in prioritizing arenas. I can understand logic that says: Listen, I don't need all the explosions in all arenas right now."

Security officials reportedly share concerns about potential Iranian escalation driven by internal pressure. They assess that Iran is under significant economic strain, partly due to U.S. actions, forcing difficult choices between domestic needs and military spending. A military source noted that Iran must now decide whether to allocate its remaining dollars to citizens' basic needs or to air defense systems.

These officials believe Iran's current restraint in firing at Israel is not accidental, as they understand such actions would lead to a high-intensity conflict and further economic and infrastructural damage. However, they also emphasize that Iran continues to work on improving its military capabilities, maintaining a high level of alert. The military added that the IDF is prepared for both defensive and offensive actions against Iran, regardless of the timeline for potential escalation.