WANA (Oct 11) – Despite Netanyahu’s repeated threats and extensive international media coverage, no practical action has been taken by Israel against Iran. But what are the reasons for this delay? Here are five key factors that have prevented Israel from attacking Iran and show that the decision is more complex than it initially seemed.

 

1. The Risk of Shifting the Battlefield in Hezbollah’s Favor

An attack on Iran would undoubtedly provoke a swift and serious response from Tehran, potentially shifting the battleground to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This would give Hezbollah the opportunity to rebuild and strengthen its position.

 

Israel has spent years trying to contain and, as it claims, destroy Hezbollah, and any conflict with Iran could jeopardize this goal. Tel Aviv does not want to inadvertently give Hezbollah breathing space by attacking Iran.

 

 

2. Europe’s Fear of a Widespread War

Europe is deeply concerned about the possibility of another major conflict, similar to the war in Ukraine. Given its dependence on energy resources and worries about economic instability, European countries fear the potential consequences of a new war in the Middle East, especially one involving oil.

 

Such a conflict would not only destabilize energy markets but also worsen the fragile economic situation in many European countries. As a result, strong European support for an Israeli attack on Iran is unlikely due to these concerns.

 

 

3. Uncertain Political Climate in the U.S.

The U.S., one of Israel’s main allies, is currently dealing with internal issues, particularly as elections approach. Both Democrats and Republicans are in a delicate position, and due to global pressure on Israel following recent conflicts, they are refraining from offering Netanyahu overt and broad support.

 

In other words, Israel cannot currently rely on full and unconditional backing from Washington, as the U.S. also seeks to avoid getting involved in a new war in the Middle East.

 

4. Uncertainty About Iran’s Response

Tehran has repeatedly stated that any attack on Iranian soil would be met with a serious and harsh response. Israel has no accurate estimate of the scale and intensity of such a response, and this uncertainty has made the decision to attack extremely risky for Tel Aviv.

 

Iran’s military and political capabilities in recent years have proven that its threats are not baseless, and Israel knows that any military action could have severe consequences for itself.

 

 

5. Internal Unity Against External Threats

One of the hopes of Israel and its allies has been to exploit internal divisions within Iran to weaken it. However, experience has shown that whenever Iran faces an external threat, its people, instead of deepening internal divisions, unite.

 

An attack on Iran would likely lead to greater social cohesion and solidarity, neutralizing all Western and Israeli efforts to create internal instability.

 

For this reason, Israel understands that any military action could, rather than weaken Iran, have the opposite effect.

 

In conclusion, despite all the threats and claims, there are many reasons why Israel has yet to attack Iran. From military and political risks to international reactions and Iran’s internal social dynamics, all these factors have made this decision extremely complex and risky for Israel.