Prof. Kobi Michael: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation is ongoing and continuous, involving more than just the Israeli Air Force, with other capabilities on the ground in Iranian soil and beyond. The IDF has a bank of targets and clear objectives to accomplish. The operation is described as being at “the beginning of the beginning,” with many targets yet to be hit, after “cleaning and opening the sky above Iran”.
Iran has experienced humiliation in the past, raising a white flag in the 1988 war against Iraq, a moment described as the supreme leader “drinking from the cup of the poison”. It is not “absurd” to assume Iran would raise the white flag again under specific conditions if continuing the war severely threatened the survival of the regime or the country. The decision for Iran to end conflict is viewed as a “strategic calculation” rather than a question of humiliation.
The interview took place on Channel I24, 15 June, 2025.