Despite weeks of intense military operations by the US and Israel against Iran, top IDF officials warn that unless Iran’s enriched uranium is transferred out of the country, the regime may still be able to build a nuclear weapon.
By World Israel News Staff
Senior Israeli military officials said that Israel’s joint military campaign with the United States against Iran achieved many of its primary goals, but warned that the core objective — eliminating Tehran’s nuclear threat — remains incomplete.
According to officials quoted in Israel Hayom, the IDF believes its operational goals have largely been achieved following strikes on missile systems, command centers and senior personnel.
However, they stress that without the removal of Iran’s nuclear program from its territory and a halt to uranium enrichment, the outcome would be considered a failure.
Pointing to the roughly 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity which remains unaccounted for, senior officials warned that Iran could quickly resume its push toward a nuclear weapon once fighting subsides.
Israeli defense officials said the success of the campaign will ultimately be measured through diplomatic means, particularly whether any agreement results in uranium being taken out of Iran. At the same time, they emphasized that if diplomacy fails, Israel must be prepared to act militarily to eliminate the threat.
The comments come amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, with Israel closely monitoring whether talks can deliver a binding outcome.
Officials also pointed to the role played by Washington in shaping the pace of operations. During recent fighting, they said, the United States effectively set the timetable for the campaign, including influencing when it should end.
Despite this, Israeli and American forces have maintained close coordination.
Senior officers described extraordinary cooperation between the two militaries, including the sharing of highly sensitive operational information, which they said has created a new baseline for future joint activity.
In one example of that cooperation, Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar proposed that Israel’s elite Unit 669 take part in rescuing a downed American F-15 crew in Iran. The United States ultimately led the mission, but Israeli officials said they were prepared to deploy forces if requested.
Bar is set to step down this week after nearly four decades of service, to be replaced by Maj. Gen. Omer Tischler. His tenure spanned a turbulent period that included the Oct. 7 attack and subsequent multi-front conflicts, culminating in large-scale strikes deep inside Iran.
The IDF also warned that its current air superiority — stretching from Israeli territory to Iran — cannot be taken for granted. Officials said regional developments, including Syria’s efforts to rebuild its military and deploy air defense systems, could challenge that advantage in the future.
On Israel’s northern front, the military continues to confront the growing threat of Hezbollah drones. The IDF said Iron Dome has intercepted dozens of drones but cannot provide a complete solution, and new interception systems under development have yet to achieve satisfactory results.
Officials said they aim to reach interception rates of around 80%, acknowledging that a full defense against drone attacks is unlikely.
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