The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Thursday that it sees a significant opportunity to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities following dramatic shifts in the Middle East, particularly the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Tehran’s proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli military officials said that the IDF has escalated its readiness and planning for such operations, citing improved strategic conditions and recent successful strikes against Iranian assets.

The IDF believes the fall of the Assad regime, which has led to the dismantling of Syria’s air defense systems, has created a largely unchallenged air corridor between Israel and Iran. 

Israeli officials also explained that past attacks over Syrian airspace, part of their longstanding campaign against Iranian arms transfers to Hezbollah, have allowed the Israeli Air Force to achieve “total air superiority” in the region. 

The IDF also said its two recent attacks on Iran this year have significantly increased the chances of success in any future strike on the country, if necessary.

The two rounds of Israeli strikes earlier this year—on April 19 and October 26—successfully targeted approximately 20 Iranian anti-aircraft and ballistic missile systems, as well as a nuclear facility. 

These operations were in direct response to Iranian missile and drone barrages on April 13–14 and October 1, which were unprecedented in scale and marked Tehran’s first direct attacks on Israeli soil.

The IDF contends that the combined impact of these strikes has significantly weakened Iran’s air defense capabilities, leaving Tehran more vulnerable to a potential direct assault. 

Iran, for its part, denies seeking to develop nuclear weapons, asserting that its nuclear and space programs are strictly for civilian purposes. 

However, U.S. intelligence assessments conclude Iran is advancing toward the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Israel also maintains that Iran never fully abandoned its pursuit of nuclear weapons and remains committed to preventing Tehran from achieving nuclear capability.