It is widely acknowledged that Iran serves as the primary architect behind many of the security threats confronting the State of Israel. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which ushered in a regime grounded in radical Islamic ideology, Iran has unequivocally positioned the destruction of Israel as a core objective.
In its bid to avoid direct military confrontation with Israel, Iran has meticulously employed a strategy of cultivating, training, and equipping proxy forces. These agents pose an escalating strategic threat to Israel, with their potency increasing each year. In response, Israel has largely adopted a containment strategy, characterized by selective strikes—targeting key sites in Syria, Lebanon, and other regions where feasible.
Nevertheless, Iran has effectively established a formidable encirclement around Israel, preparing for a potential confrontation. Despite the forthright rhetoric and stern warnings from Israeli leaders, the stark reality is that Israel faces significant deterrence. This is starkly illustrated by the ongoing bombardment of northern Israel over the past eleven months, which has transformed northern cities into virtual ghost towns and displaced tens of thousands of residents. Moreover, the unprecedented Iranian assault in April—comprising approximately 320 cruise missiles and explosive UAVs carrying about 60 tons of explosives—underscores Iran’s readiness to escalate regional tensions.
Given these circumstances, a strategic reassessment is imperative. The current approach has failed to yield the desired outcomes. What is required now is a strategic pivot towards the dismantling of the Iranian regime—an action that, from a pragmatic standpoint, appears to be the sole path to a meaningful alteration in the regional threat landscape.
Fortunately, there seems to be an ally in this endeavour: a significant portion of the Iranian populace harbours a desire for liberation from the Ayatollahs’ oppressive rule.
This sentiment is periodically evidenced by uprisings, particularly among the youth, who risk their lives and make substantial sacrifices in their quest for freedom.
The Iranian people are not lacking in motivation to overthrow their tyrannical regime; rather, they lack the necessary means to effectuate such a change. This is where the interests of the Iranian people and those of Western allies, with Israel leading the charge, converge.
To this end, Israel should prioritize efforts to dismantle the regime.
Other measures are secondary. Potential strategies include facilitating access to uncensored information for the Iranian public by circumventing internet restrictions, thereby inciting internal dissent; allocating resources to recruit influential figures within the regime who could act from within; supplying arms to Iranian civilians; repeatedly targeting key regime elements; and fostering the conditions necessary for a widespread uprising.
The Arab Spring demonstrated that, when certain conditions align, nations in the Middle East can rise against and overthrow their despotic rulers. This was seen in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Syria, and it is conceivable for Iran as well. The internal combustibles in Iran are already present; Israel and its allies must play a role in igniting them. This is the regime’s greatest fear and the only measure that could truly deter it.
It may also be the only viable route to a strategic shift and the potential for a new Middle Eastern reality—one in which the malevolent organizations seeking Israel’s destruction lose their primary source of support. This represents perhaps our most viable opportunity for enduring peace.
Dotan Rousso was born and raised in Israel and holds a Ph.D. in Law. He is a former criminal prosecutor in Israel. He currently lives in Alberta and teaches Philosophy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
