Tipping Point Quick Hits (1.19.23)

Is Israel Preparing to Strike Iran?

Lt.-Gen Aviv Kochavi, the outgoing chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said recently that the IDF is ready to strike Iran at any moment. He made the statement during a speech at a retirement ceremony marking the end of his tenure as chief of staff.

According to All Israel News, Kochavi said the IDF had been training precisely for a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and other military targets:

“We finished two drills. One was during the IDF’s War Month, and the second was at the end of November. We are about to hold a third very large exercise. In under a year, we are going to have carried out three training exercises with dozens of aircraft, refueling aircraft and all of the operative units,” he said. “In addition, we also established an Iran Department in the IDF, led by a major general. All of this speaks for itself regarding the level of preparation that we are achieving.” 

He also mentioned the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and its support for terrorist groups in the region, pointing out that the IDF needed to maintain its technological and operational capabilities so it could be prepared for any future conflict with Iran or its proxy, Hezbollah.