Reuters Report on Israel's Options for Possible Response to the Islamic Republic: Airstrikes, Cyber Attacks, Covert Operations, and Diplomacy

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the country's war cabinet are considering potential retaliatory options following the Islamic Republic's attack on Israeli territory on Saturday. Israel's allies, including the United States, have urged Netanyahu to avoid escalating the conflict in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden has explicitly stated that American forces will not join any retaliatory attacks against the Iranian government. Reuters examines Israel's options for responding to the Islamic Republic's attack. Airstrikes: Israel could respond with airstrikes against the Islamic Republic, especially since Iran's air defense is significantly weaker than the multi-layered system used by Israel and its allies on Saturday. An Israeli Air Force officer stated in a press conference that the country's air force is prepared to defend Israel and added that 'defense could mean an attack if necessary.' According to this Israeli officer, the government and cabinet will decide on the necessary action and its timing. Such an attack could target strategic facilities, including bases of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or nuclear research centers. Former intelligence officials say that it is less likely Israel would target civilian infrastructure like power plants, as it aims to avoid civilian casualties. This approach is both to ensure continued international support and because of the assessment that Iranian officials are very vulnerable after suppressing the people for political and economic reasons. Civilian casualties in an Israeli attack could lead to increased public support for the Islamic Republic. Israel could also strike at Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon or other targets in countries like Syria and Iraq. However, the fact that the Islamic Republic directly attacked Israel for the first time indicates that any such actions would only be part of a broader response that also targets Iran itself. Cyber Attack: It is believed that Israel has targeted Iran's infrastructure through numerous cyber attacks over the years, affecting everything from gas stations to industrial facilities and nuclear sites. Another cyber attack could be among Israel's options for responding to the Islamic Republic. These attacks could focus on visible sectors such as energy production or flight services. According to former intelligence officials, Israel would also refrain from attacking public infrastructure like hospitals to avoid harming its own civilians. Covert Operations: It is believed that Israel has conducted several covert operations within Iran in the past, including the assassination of the country's senior nuclear scientists. Such operations could occur both inside and outside of Iran. Diplomacy: In addition to military and intelligence attacks against the Islamic Republic, Israel is increasing its diplomatic efforts to isolate Tehran, including extending sanctions. Israeli officials have once again urged the U.S. and European countries to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. The German Foreign Minister is traveling to Israel to prevent escalation of tensions. Verification: The campaign of fake news from the Islamic Republic's media to portray the attack on Israel as successful. An Israeli media outlet states that Israel will respond 'clearly and powerfully' to the Iranian government's attack; NBC reports that Israel's response may be 'imminent.' A letter from the Israeli Foreign Minister to 32 countries: impose sanctions on the Iranian government's missile program. Israel has informed Arab countries that its response to the Iranian government's attack will not endanger them. NBC reports that Israel's response to the Islamic Republic's attack is likely 'imminent.'