Iranian Missile Threat
Israeli MK Warns Israelis: "Prepare Your Safe Rooms"
Otzma Yehudit MK Zvika Fogel warns Israelis to prepare bomb shelters amid reports that Iran is rapidly rebuilding its ballistic missile arsenal, calling the growing threat “existential” and urging readiness as tensions escalate following the June 2025 Israel-Iran war.
Knesset member Brig. Gen. (res.) Zvika Fogel warned Sunday that Israelis should ensure their protected spaces are ready, citing reports of Iran rapidly rebuilding its ballistic missile arsenal following the June 2025 Israel-Iran war.
In an interview with Radio North 104.5FM, Fogel, a former senior IDF officer from the right-wing Otzma Yehudit party, responded to a question about preparing bomb shelters by stating: "It's always better for the protected room to be ready. We live under the conception that one successful operation creates deterrence. Deterrence is a psychological product, when the enemy tells itself the price it paid was too high. That didn't happen. The Iranians don't think that way, and at their head stands the destruction of the State of Israel."
Fogel emphasized the severity of the threat, noting: "Israel cannot come to terms with long-range missiles in the quantity and quality that Iran is producing, this is an existential threat." He added that even fewer than 12,000 missiles would pose an existential risk, as "we don't have 100% success against such a threat." Highlighting Israel's strengths in offensive operations over defense, he said: "We discovered that defense is not where we excel, it's in attack that we achieve the best results for the security of Israel's citizens."
The comments come amid Western intelligence reports of unusual activity in Iran's missile forces and assessments that Tehran has resumed large-scale production of ballistic missiles, aiming to restore and expand stockpiles depleted during the 12-day conflict earlier this year. Israeli officials have expressed concern over Iran's efforts to rebuild capabilities, with some estimates suggesting a stockpile of around 2,000 heavy missiles.
Fogel welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming trip to the United States to coordinate with President Donald Trump, stating: "It's good that the prime minister is traveling to the U.S. to coordinate another operation." He expressed uncertainty about Iran's nuclear program but stressed the need for proactive measures against the missile threat.
Protected spaces, known in Israel as mamadim (reinforced security rooms), have become a standard feature in homes built since the 1990s, designed to withstand missile and rocket attacks.
No official Home Front Command directive has been issued in response to the latest reports, but Fogel's remarks reflect growing vigilance in security circles as tensions with Iran persist.