What’s happening
The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to employ drone strikes in its shadow conflict with Israel, targeting Israeli-linked maritime interests. The most recent incident involved an Israeli-owned vessel in the Indian Ocean hit by an Iranian Shahed 136 drone.
Why it matters
Iran’s strategic use of drones represents a method of graduated escalation, aiming to challenge Israel’s security while limiting the scope for direct retaliation. This tactic adds a complex layer to the tensions between Iran and Israel, going beyond traditional forms of conflict and emphasizing Iran’s intent to persist in its hostility towards the Jewish state.
Context
Iranian drones, known as the poor man’s cruise missile, are increasingly being used to strike at Israeli-linked shipping entities, such as those owned by Israeli businessman Idan Ofer. The recent attacks follow a history of Iranian aggression towards Israeli interests, including the fatal 2021 strike on the Mercer Street, which resulted in the deaths of a Romanian captain and a British security guard.
The bigger picture
Iran’s shadow war extends beyond maritime strikes, encompassing cyberattacks, targeting of critical infrastructure, and threats against Israeli and Jewish targets globally. This cross-domain escalation strategy is designed to exert pressure on Israel from various angles while avoiding a full-scale direct conflict.
Between the lines
Despite temporary ceasefires between Israel and Iranian proxies like Hamas, the consistent use of drones signifies Iran’s commitment to its adversarial stance. Israeli national security decision-makers must remain vigilant and adapt to the evolving nature of threats posed by Tehran.
The bottom line
The employment of drones in Iran’s shadow war against Israel underlines the necessity for Israel to prioritize and counter these threats. With Tehran’s capabilities and intent clear, the challenge for Israeli security is to anticipate and neutralize these risks in an ever-shifting landscape of conflict.
This story was first published on jpost.com.