Israel Boosts Preparedness, Eyes Iran Internal Unrest as Strategic Goal

Israeli intelligence assesses profound internal unrest is imminent in Iran. Concurrently, Tel Aviv raised readiness and alert levels, fundamentally shifting its security doctrine. Analyses reveal the primary strategic mission for Mossad and Aman is to effect Iranian regime downfall. This involves exploiting Tehran's internal fragility and applying direct intelligence pressure. While this possibility's likelihood remains unclear, the prevailing assessment suggests it is closer than ever. The Israeli army views Iran as its central and primary threat. **Heightened Readiness** As "Yom Kippur" approaches, the Israeli army has heightened its readiness across various fronts, despite no concrete warnings thus far. In the north, preparations are for potential Hezbollah fire. Targeted assassinations continue in Gaza. Attention increasingly turns to the Houthis, but Iran remains the core of the security landscape. To grasp the army's seriousness, consider weekend details of elevated readiness and alert levels on all fronts for Yom Kippur. This coincides with key commanders at their posts and the air force maintaining readiness with more armed aircraft on high alert throughout the holiday. With Yom Kippur's advent, the security establishment entered enhanced operational readiness. The dual shock of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the October 7, 2023 massacre remains deeply etched in its collective memory. Potential scenarios are under study. As of Saturday evening, no intelligence indicated active parties across the seven combat fronts intended to confront Israeli army forces. In a related context, former US President Donald Trump stated days earlier that he had "a big decision to make regarding Iran." Trump questioned in an earlier conversation: "Do I want to go in and eliminate them, meaning the Iranian regime, or not? It's a big decision. With me, anything can happen." **Houthi Capabilities** Global attention focuses on the Houthis. Israel dedicated significant efforts over the past 18-24 months to monitor their situation. Within the intelligence community, Houthis are a major priority. Information-gathering efforts by Aman and Mossad yielded tangible, significant results. Initially, neither the international community nor Israel took Houthis seriously. However, after three years of Houthi threats and hostile actions against Israel or other Middle Eastern countries, the intelligence community now clearly understands their importance in the security landscape. Information confirms Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and their control of Bab al-Mandeb are perceived as directly instigated by Iran to destabilize global stability and harm the international economy. This prompts a shift in perspectives among senior political and security officials across Europe, the Middle East, the Arab region, and Asia. The world realizes the danger posed by Iran and the Houthis. They are no longer small, unprofessional proxies whose missiles disintegrate mid-air, but a violent, dangerous military force. Analyses focused on Israel's success in implementing measures to monitor Houthis and take effective operational actions. Israel has much to offer in this conflict. Through its intelligence agencies (Mossad and Aman), Israel has helped change global understanding of the threat Houthis pose in Yemen to regional and global stability. However, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis are not the primary focus of the Israeli defense establishment. The absolute core of intelligence and security attention remains, and has always been, Iran.