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The Israel Air Force is now capable of operating without obstruction as far as Tehran, following what was described as the destruction of a majority of Iran's air defense systems, The Jerusalem Post reported citing security officials.
The reported elimination of Syria’s military capabilities, including those of Hezbollah, has further expanded Israel’s operational range and shortened flight paths to Iran, according to the report.
Until approximately two years ago, the IAF faced severe limitations in operating over Lebanon and Syria, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir's statement on Saturday, saying "The road to Tehran has been paved" reflects the IDF’s present air dominance and signals a strategic shift, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Significant damage has also reportedly been inflicted on Iran’s surface-to-surface missile systems and defense industries, according to the report. Military assessments indicate that Iran remains highly vulnerable to further strikes, particularly in Tehran, where intensified Israeli operations are expected in the next 24 hours, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Additionally, the IDF’s intelligence community is said to have made a notable breakthrough in real-time intelligence collection.
Israel launched what it calls Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities in the early hours of Friday, calling it a preemptive strike designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied plans to develop such weapons. Tehran retaliated by launching counterstrikes against Israel.
"Our next missile launch on Israel will be around 2,000 missiles. Our missile attacks on Israel will be 20 times more intense than previous attacks," an Iranian military spokesman said, according to Al Jazeera.