Dialectic of Deterrence – Part I: Key Offensive Superiority Components of Israel

Intelligence Superiority and Data Collection

Israel’s extensive SIGINT and HUMINT networks, combined with advanced satellite and drone reconnaissance systems, enable real-time tracking of Iran’s military and nuclear movements. According to RAND, the fusion of communication intercepts, satellite imagery, and local human sources provides commanders with a level of clarity that allows for precise analysis and targeting.

The Israeli regime’s SIGINT network includes electronic listening stations in allied countries (such as Iraqi Kurdistan, Azerbaijan, and Gulf states) and signal-intercepting ships in international waters. These assets continuously monitor a wide range of radio, satellite, and phone communications in and around Iran. Using AI-powered data analytics, they identify and geolocate command-and-control nodes, extracting precise coordinates for targeted strikes.

Meanwhile, Mossad and Shin Bet’s HUMINT operations maintain deep infiltration into Iran’s academic and industrial sectors, activating a network of local informants who not only verify SIGINT data but also report hard-to-track details such as traffic patterns at strategic sites. These sources have been recruited and retained over the past decade through financial incentives, emigration support, and psychological operations.

A clear example of this integrated approach was Operation Narnia, in which at least 11 senior Iranian nuclear scientists were targeted in a single night. Official reports indicate targeting precision within 10 meters. The psychological impact not only disrupted Iran’s technical expertise but also fractured internal decision-making and coordination, with full recovery of Iran’s intelligence-operational capacity expected to take considerable time.

Air Power and Long-Range Weaponry

Israel’s F‑35I Adir fighter jets, combining stealth technology with onboard sensor networks, function as more than just aircraft—they serve as airborne command-and-control hubs. These jets are tasked with penetrating air defense networks and, using “Beast Mode,” can carry external weapons after disabling radar systems to increase bombing payloads. Data collected via electronic and infrared sensors is encrypted and transmitted to command centers, guiding F‑15I and F‑16I jets for simultaneous precision strikes.

This networked approach enables highly coordinated SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) and OCA (Offensive Counter-Air) missions. No previous operation against Iran has demonstrated such synchronization.

Additionally, Israel’s long-range offensive layer includes standoff weapons like air-launched Sparrow ballistic missiles and Spice guided bombs, extending operational reach by several hundred kilometers. Simultaneous launches from multiple directions saturate Iran’s S‑300 and S‑400 systems, and when combined with F‑35I support, enable the capture of strategic targets such as uranium enrichment facilities and air defense sites. High-altitude aerial refueling not only prolongs battlefield endurance but also allows for continuous air support loops. According to CSIS experts, this “multi-axis simultaneous operations” model significantly improves penetration into Iran’s defense zones compared to traditional pinpoint strikes.

Electronic and Cyber Warfare

Since Operation Rising Lion, Israel has integrated battlefield and cyber tactics to neutralize Iranian defenses before physical strikes commence.

In the first phase, electronic warfare units deploy systems like IAI’s Scorpius to target S‑300 and S‑400 radar signals, saturating multiple frequency bands and inducing “artificial sleep” in ground receivers. This multi-step process includes active jamming, injecting false data into control systems, and sudden disruptions—rendering even mobile defense stations unable to activate quickly.

Next, Mossad and Unit 8200 cyber teams infiltrate air defense management networks and data centers, issuing fake commands to deactivate radars or reposition antennas. As a result, when F‑35I jets or combat drones enter Iranian airspace, no effective alerts are triggered.

Simultaneously, large-scale cyberattacks target cross-border communication support networks. Internal servers are replaced, root account passwords are rotated, and encrypted traffic is intercepted using known vulnerabilities. The Washington Institute emphasizes that these intrusions are designed to disable logistical support systems and crisis command centers, preventing Iran from mounting a coordinated rapid response.

Ultimately, a hybrid network of cyber and electronic attacks, combined with drone-based cover operations inside Iran, enables the destruction or disabling of defense systems deep within Iranian territory without direct confrontation. This model, blending jamming, cyber infiltration, and stealth explosive drones, represents a new framework for long-range attacks unprecedented in the history of Israeli-Iranian conflict.

Support and Coordination with the United States

At the strategic level, Israel’s formal integration into the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and close cooperation with the Pentagon have granted its air and naval forces access to extensive logistical and intelligence resources. Following this integration, Israel’s F‑35I jets and other airborne units can refuel and rearm at joint U.S. bases in the region, including B‑52 facilities in Qatar and aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf. Logistical support—spare parts and specialized personnel—is provided under joint supervision and through coordinated exercises, reducing operational costs by up to 30% and minimizing response time.

Israel’s role within CENTCOM’s unified command structure also facilitates missile and air defense alert sharing. By integrating the U.S. Shared Early Warning system with Israel’s Arrow system at a joint command center, any missile or drone launch in the region is rapidly detected and its coordinates shared with both nations’ commanders. Additionally, joint engineering and cybersecurity teams conduct regular drills to secure military networks and prepare for nuclear threats. This collaboration has created a secure and transparent logistical support system that complicates any offensive action with dual-layered challenges.

On the political-military front, regional affairs officers (FAOs) and joint representatives within CENTCOM have strengthened personal relationships and information exchange among senior commanders. These interactions—through regular visits by CENTCOM leadership to Tel Aviv and the presence of Israeli advisors at U.S. command centers—enable swift and frictionless strategic alignment. The result is a secure logistical and intelligence network that pushes Israel’s offensive-defensive capabilities to saturation levels, forcing adversaries into limited reactive positions.

Special Operations and Targeting Key Commanders

Elite units such as Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13 operate within a unified mission architecture, executing psychological and tactical strikes deep inside Iran before the main aerial bombardment begins. According to CSIS, these units use real-time intelligence from fusion centers in Tel Aviv and Washington to infiltrate target facilities via small insertion teams (Fast-Rope Insertion), install field sensors, and transmit precise coordinates to jets and drones for synchronized strikes.

Their methodology centers on “Deep Joint Strike” operations—simultaneous missile bombardment and infiltration teams supported by drones and electronic warfare. These teams identify and eliminate communication keywords and commander gathering points, crippling Iran’s high-level management and response capabilities both logistically and psychologically, making coordinated national reactions virtually impossible.

CSIS recommends continued use of this tactical combination, noting its long-term strategic effectiveness. Iran’s ability to rebuild special operations capacity is hindered by cultural and security complexities, and the psychological deterrence created may pave the way for future successful strikes.

Sources:
WSJ – Israel Targets Iranian Nuclear Scientists | RAND – Israel-Iran Conflict Q&A | CSIS – Iran and Military Balance in the Gulf | Business Insider – Israel’s F-35 Warplanes | Al Jazeera – Israel’s Intelligence Operations in Iran | Defense Info – F-35I Adir as Strategic Game-Changer | Business Insider – Israel’s F-35I Stealth Jet Capabilities | JNS – Iran’s Domestic Air Defense vs Israeli EW | Rasanah – Israel-Iran Escalation Analysis | Washington Post – Mossad’s Iran Operations | BESA Center – Israel’s Move to USCENTCOM | Algemeiner – Strategic Shift to USCENTCOM | GovInfo – U.S. Congressional Hearing on Iran | CSIS – Rising Lion Report on Iran | CSIS – Israeli Strike on Iran Explained | Global Defense Corp – Israeli Raid on Syrian Chemical Site