Washington Post: The Islamic Republic Can Only Produce 'One Missile a Week'

The Washington Post reported, citing an Israeli official, that as a result of the Israeli attack on Iranian positions on Saturday morning, November 5, the Islamic Republic can now only produce fuel for one ballistic missile per week. According to this unnamed Israeli official, prior to the November 5 attack, Iran was capable of producing fuel for two ballistic missiles daily. He further stated to the Washington Post that this reduction in ballistic missile fuel production would continue for a year. In this context, Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Defense Minister, said that the aim of the November 5 attack was to ensure that the Iranian government is 'weaker' and Israel is 'stronger' so that the Islamic Republic would not be able to respond to future attacks. Gallant noted that there is currently 'no strategic defense around Tehran.' The former defense minister added that the November 5 attack created a 'window for action against [the Islamic Republic] Iran' before this government could produce a nuclear bomb. Gallant also confirmed that Israel played a role in the April 20 attack on the Iranian air defense radar system in Isfahan, stating, 'We hit them accurately, but it wasn't enough to deter them.' Following the terrorist attack on October 7 last year, the Islamic Republic launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel through a network of its proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite militia groups in Iraq. On April 25, Iran launched an unprecedented attack, firing over 320 projectiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by a coalition of the United States, Britain, France, Israel, and Jordan before reaching Israeli airspace. On October 2 of this year, the Islamic Republic directly attacked Israel for the second time, launching 180 ballistic missiles. Israel responded directly to both of Iran's attacks on April 25 and November 5. The 'precise and targeted' operation on November 5, involving at least 100 fighter jets, targeted over 20 military positions primarily related to Iran's air defense in four provinces: Tehran, Semnan, Ilam, and Khuzestan. Axios reported on Friday, November 25, citing two Israeli officials, that the early morning attack on November 5 on Parchin has significantly complicated the Islamic Republic's development of nuclear explosion devices. Israel chose to attack Iranian military positions amid widespread speculation about the possibility of attacks on nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and even political and military figures, including Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic is attempting to hide the remnants of the Taleqan 2 site. A British admiral stated that Israel has 'almost destroyed the entire air defense' of the Iranian government. Netanyahu claimed that Israel has struck a blow to the Iranian government's nuclear program. The Associated Press reported that an undeclared missile base in Shahrud was damaged in the Israeli attack. The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps described the Israeli attacks as 'unsuccessful' but threatened 'severe consequences.' There is widespread support among American lawmakers for Israel following the attack on Iranian positions in Iran. Israel warned the Islamic Republic after the end of 'retaliatory attacks': 'Do not make the mistake' of escalating tensions further.