The State of Conflict with Iran.. A Newspaper Warns Israel of "Serious Differences"

SadaNews - The newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported that the upcoming war between Israel and Iran could be more violent and brutal, and the likelihood of its outbreak is increasing as diplomatic efforts reach an impasse, emphasizing that Israel should not underestimate Iran.

After the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, many in Israel came away with the impression that they had "won"; Iran suffered severe blows, but in Iran, the narrative of "victory" took root as well.

Although officials there acknowledge Israel's achievements, they point to the survival of the regime and its rapid recovery, replacing the leadership that was assassinated within 24 hours, as proof of resilience. From their perspective, merely maintaining confrontation with Israel and the United States was a dramatic achievement in its own right.

According to the newspaper, Iran's sense of victory should not be underestimated, as negotiations over the nuclear issue have come to a halt, complicated further by the European troika's decision to activate the "snapback" mechanism and reinstate all sanctions lifted in 2015. Iran appears less fearful of a new war, with its leaders believing they can achieve gains they missed in the previous round.

Tehran still prefers a diplomatic path that might lead to lifting sanctions, but with the Western stance seen by Iran as "demanding surrender," its leadership realizes that military escalation has become more likely, especially in light of repeated Israeli warnings of launching new strikes if Iran attempts to rebuild its capabilities, particularly in the nuclear field.

Iran has learned from its mistakes and is now focusing on developing its missile arsenal and bolstering its defenses. Daily reports are almost being issued regarding missile tests and statements from senior officials about new systems.

At the same time, Iranian leaders announce that they will not hesitate to launch a preemptive strike if they feel Israel is about to attack. They are also seeking support from Moscow and Beijing for advanced air defense systems to replace those that collapsed in the last war.

Iranian Readiness and American Support

In Operation "Rising Lion,” Israel benefited from complete surprise and used advanced capabilities to deliver harsh blows to Iran, under an American security umbrella that included unprecedented military support.

However, it is unlikely that Israel will have similar ideal conditions in the next round. Whether Iran miscalculates and starts the attack, or Israel initiates another strike, Tehran's preparedness will be on a different level.

Simultaneously, with President Donald Trump preoccupied with other crises, the extent of American support Israel will receive in a new war remains unclear.

Iranian Fears of Resuming War with Israel

This combination of Iranian readiness and doubts about American support could place Israel before challenges much greater than in the previous confrontation.

If Washington's commitment is less this time, questions will arise about how to end the upcoming war and avoid slipping into a prolonged war of attrition that may cost Israel more than Iran, given the geographical depth of Iran.

Above all, the question of the purpose emerges: What will the next war actually achieve, especially with the growing conviction that air campaigns alone cannot topple the regime in Tehran?

Peak Tension

According to "Israel Hayom," if the last war taught Israel anything, it is that the Iranian regime is more resilient than it appears. There are no "moderates waiting in line" to replace Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei even if he were assassinated.

As for the nuclear file, it is doubtful that a new campaign could inflict permanent damage on Iranian enrichment facilities. Such a war will not erase the knowledge possessed by Iranian scientists, nor the stored nuclear materials.

If the next war starts from where the previous one left off, the initial phases are likely to be more violent. Iran will likely seek from the outset to use capabilities aimed at inflicting severe damage on the Israeli home front.

The collapse of diplomacy, Tehran's insistence on restoring its nuclear program, and Israel's stated readiness to launch another attack have all driven tensions to their peak. The risk of escalation is real, and this time Iran may be more prepared than ever.

Despite Israel maintaining its military superiority, especially in the air, the question remains: What is the real goal of a war that may have greater chances of spiraling out of control than ever before?