{"id":1674,"date":"2026-02-10T18:06:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T18:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1674"},"modified":"2026-02-10T18:06:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T18:06:11","slug":"israel-threatens-to-strike-iran-ballistic-missiles-alone-if-needed-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1674","title":{"rendered":"Israel threatens to strike Iran ballistic missiles alone if needed: report"},"content":{"rendered":"


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NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As U.S.-Iran diplomacy remains primarily focused on Tehran\u2019s nuclear program, Israeli officials and analysts warn that ballistic missiles remain a central red line for Jerusalem and could shape any decision on unilateral action.<\/p>\n

Before departing for his trip to Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> said he plans to press Israel\u2019s priorities in the talks. “I will present to the president our views regarding the principles of the negotiations \u2014 the important principles \u2014 and, in my view, they are important not only for Israel, but for anyone in the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East.”<\/p>\n

Those priorities, Israeli officials say, extend beyond the nuclear file and include Iran\u2019s missile capabilities. Israeli defense officials have recently warned U.S. counterparts that Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program<\/a> constitutes an existential threat to Israel and that Jerusalem is prepared to act alone if necessary, according to reporting by The Jerusalem Post.<\/p>\n

\u2018ISRAEL IS ONLY THE APPETIZER\u2019: HUCKABEE WARNS IRAN THREAT LOOMS AS NETANYAHU EYES TRUMP TALKS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boards his plane for Washington, D.C., ahead of a meeting with President Trump. Feb. 10, 2025.<\/span> (Avi Ohayon\/Government Press Office)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The outlet reported that Israeli security officials conveyed in recent weeks their intent to dismantle Iran\u2019s missile capabilities and production infrastructure through a series of high-level exchanges with Washington. Military planners outlined potential operational concepts aimed at degrading the program, including strikes on key manufacturing and development sites.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Israel\u2019s defense minister declined to comment on the issue.<\/p>\n

Sima Shine, a former senior Israeli intelligence official and current senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, told Fox News Digital that limiting talks to the nuclear issue risks missing what Israel considers the broader threat.<\/p>\n

IRAN REPORTEDLY DEVELOPING CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL MISSILE WARHEADS AS PROTESTS SPREAD OVER COLLAPSING ECONOMY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Israel’s air defense targets Iranian missiles in the sky over Tel Aviv, on June 16, 2025.<\/span> (Matan Golan\/Middle East Images\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“If negotiations deal only with the nuclear file and ignore the missiles, Israel will remain exposed,” Shine said. “Iran treats its ballistic missile program as its main deterrence and will not give it up.” She stressed that Tehran views them as a defensive and deterrent capability dictated by the supreme leader. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country would not negotiate on its ballistic missile program, rejecting a core U.S. demand and further dimming prospects for a breakthrough deal. Shine described that stance as a fundamental red line for Israel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also warned that Tehran may be stalling<\/a> diplomatically while assessing whether Washington will limit the talks to nuclear constraints alone.<\/p>\n

“They have room to show flexibility on enrichment,” she said, noting that activity slowed after strikes on facilities, “but missiles are different. That they would not discuss.”<\/p>\n

Israeli concerns<\/a> extend beyond the negotiating table. A former intelligence official familiar with strategic planning said Israel retains the capability to strike independently if necessary.<\/p>\n

TRUMP WARNS IRAN, DELAYS STRIKES AS RED LINE DEBATE ECHOES OBAMA\u2019S SYRIA MOMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted over Tel Aviv, Israel, June 15, 2025.<\/span> (Tomer Neuberg\/Reuters)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“Israel can act by itself if there is no choice,” the former official said, adding that missile expansion and regional threats<\/a> would be key triggers.<\/p>\n

Shine says the optics of Israeli pressure on Washington<\/a> could complicate matters.<\/p>\n

“If missiles become the central public demand, it may look as if Israel is pushing the U.S. toward military action,” she said. “If that fails, Israel could be blamed.”<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet ahead of the U.S.-Iran talks, in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Feb. 6, 2026.\u00a0<\/span> (Oman Foreign Ministry\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

She added that Iran\u2019s missile arsenal is not aimed solely at Israel but forms part of a broader deterrence strategy against the United States and regional adversaries.<\/p>\n

For Israel, the implication is clear. A nuclear agreement that leaves Iran\u2019s missile infrastructure untouched could be seen in Jerusalem as stabilizing the regime while leaving the most immediate threat in place. That calculation, Israeli analysts say, defines the red line.<\/p>\n

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Efrat Lachter is a world reporter for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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