WANA (Jul 28) – A West Asia affairs analyst says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest trip to Washington is aimed at persuading the United States to pursue a new round of confrontation with Iran, arguing that the Israeli leader is seeking political and security gains ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections to strengthen his domestic standing.

 

Speaking to reporters, Ahmad Zarean said the United States had entered the recent conflict with the stated objectives of weakening Iran’s military capabilities and challenging Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, however, the outcome was the opposite of what Washington had anticipated.

 

Zarean claimed that the United States failed to achieve its objectives while facing growing shortages of strategic military stockpiles, particularly air defense missiles such as the Patriot system. He argued that advanced weapons are produced in limited quantities and that replenishing depleted inventories could take several years. He added that Washington had expected the conflict to last only a few days, but instead found itself engaged for months at considerable military cost.

 

Referring to the intense wave of attacks in recent weeks, the analyst said the United States carried out hundreds of strikes on some nights but was unable to force Iran to accept its demands. He also argued that Washington had expected attacks on Iranian military, radar, air defense, and missile facilities to significantly weaken Iran’s defensive capabilities, but claimed that Tehran maintained its military capacity and responded with counterattacks.

 

Zarean further alleged that Iran targeted U.S. military bases in several regional countries during the conflict and later conducted coordinated attacks against American facilities in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, actions he described as placing significant pressure on U.S. forces in the region.

 

Citing reports by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, he claimed the publications had highlighted U.S. limitations in replenishing strategic weapons and discussed Iran’s asymmetric warfare tactics, including its so-called “mosquito fleet” of fast attack boats. According to Zarean, despite employing its maximum military capabilities, Washington failed to secure its strategic objectives.

 

Turning to Ukraine, Zarean claimed that Kyiv’s recent attack had been encouraged by Israel and was intended to draw European countries and NATO into direct confrontation with Iran. He argued, however, that neither Europe nor NATO had shown any willingness to become involved in such a conflict, pointing to recent developments as evidence.

 

The analyst also addressed Iran’s relations with Oman, claiming that Tehran and Muscat had held discussions on joint management of the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, Oman initially expressed readiness to cooperate but later stepped back under pressure from the United States. He said that if such pressure were removed, the two countries could establish a regional framework for managing the security of the strategic waterway; otherwise, Iran would continue to pursue its own arrangements based on its national interests.

 

Discussing Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, Zarean said it was the Israeli prime minister’s eighth trip to the United States in the past two years and came at a time when regional tensions were intensifying and Iran’s nuclear program had once again become a central issue.

 

He argued that Netanyahu is attempting to portray Iran’s nuclear program as a growing security threat in order to persuade President Donald Trump to maintain pressure on Tehran and encourage a new round of confrontation. According to Zarean, the approaching Knesset elections in October also provide Netanyahu with an incentive to seek security-related achievements to bolster his political position, which he said has weakened in recent months.

 

Zarean also warned that further escalation remains possible, noting that the recent 12-day conflict was followed by a 40-day confrontation and then another 13 nights of fighting. He argued that the recurring cycle of war, ceasefire, negotiations, and renewed conflict is likely to continue unless a lasting solution is found, adding that continued escalation would only deepen regional instability rather than benefit the United States or Israel.

 

Concluding his remarks, the analyst said Israel is facing mounting political, economic, and security challenges ahead of the Knesset elections. He claimed the country has experienced declining deterrence, economic pressure, increased emigration, and growing security concerns following recent conflicts, making it more vulnerable should another round of hostilities erupt.