Iranian "Missile Superpower" May Target Millions of Israeli Civilians
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Zvika Haimovich, former Commander of Israel's Air Defense Array, warns that Iran remains a "missile superpower" despite recent setbacks. He predicts Tehran may target population centers from Haifa to Beersheba to force millions into shelters, while advising Israel to let the Trump administration lead the offensive.
As tensions between Washington and Tehran reach a boiling point, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Zvika Haimovich, the former commander of the IDF Air Defense Array, has provided a sobering analysis of Iran’s potential retaliatory strategy. In an interview with 103FM, Haimovich warned that while Iran's proxy networks have faltered, its core missile capabilities remain a formidable threat.
Haimovich cautioned against underestimating the Iranian regime’s aerial reach. "In the world of rocketry and new aerial threats, the Iranians are a superpower," he stated. "Iran has not disappeared from the map; their threat and their desires remain in effect. We hit their capabilities significantly in recent months, but it’s never down to zero."
According to Haimovich, the failure of Iran's proxies (such as Hezbollah and Hamas) and its own domestic air defenses has forced Tehran to double down on its primary strength: long-range ballistic missiles. He warned that the challenge for Israel will be "the mass," predicting that the scale of an upcoming attack could match or exceed the massive barrages seen last June.
The former commander suggested a shift in Iranian targeting priorities. Instead of focusing solely on military or strategic infrastructure, Tehran may aim to maximize civilian disruption.
"They can launch isolated volleys from Haifa to Beersheba to pin down as many citizens as possible away from their daily routines," Haimovich explained. "Will they choose populated areas this time instead of strategic sites? From the Iranian perspective, there are many possibilities."
Despite the high alert, Haimovich expressed confidence in Israel's readiness, citing upgraded technology and a larger stockpile of interceptors. Crucially, he pointed to the proactive stance of the new U.S. administration as a game-changer.
"We have a different component this time, and that is American involvement from day one," Haimovich said. "It is correct to let the U.S. and President Trump lead this campaign. If we need to join, we will join. From Israel's perspective, if the Americans succeed in doing the job, we gain twice over."
Haimovich concluded that Israel is entering this potential escalation significantly better prepared than it was during the June attacks, having implemented lessons learned regarding large-scale saturation strikes.