Israel's Military Campaign Against Iran Enters Second Phase

Israel's military campaign against Iran has entered a second phase, focusing on attacking ballistic missile sites that are buried deep underground. This development follows the initial week of joint air assaults with the United States, which reportedly resulted in significant casualties among Iranian leadership and triggered a broader regional conflict involving Iranian retaliatory strikes in Israel, the Gulf, and Iraq, as well as Israeli attacks in Lebanon. According to sources familiar with the military operations, Israel aims to neutralize Iran's capacity to launch aerial attacks by targeting missile storage facilities and equipment.

Reuters

The Israeli military has claimed to have successfully targeted hundreds of Iranian missile launchers positioned above ground, which pose a threat to Israeli cities. The second phase of the operation will specifically target underground bunkers that store ballistic missiles. An Israeli military spokesperson did not provide immediate comments on the specific plans for these attacks. The military has previously asserted control over much of Iran's airspace during the initial strikes, which began on March 1, 2026.

Reuters

Estimates regarding Iran's missile stockpile vary significantly, with Israeli military sources suggesting around 2,500 missiles, while other analysts estimate the number could be as high as 6,000. The remaining capacity of Iran's missile arsenal is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing conflict. Despite the Israeli strikes, Iran has continued to launch missile attacks across the region, including against Israel. Douglas Barrie from the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that Iran still possesses some land-attack cruise missiles and precision-guided weapons capable of evading radar detection.

Reuters

Israeli warplanes have reportedly conducted operations targeting both Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon simultaneously, striking Iranian locations while returning from missions. Israeli and U.S. officials have observed a decline in ballistic missile and drone launches from Iran since the onset of the attacks, attributing this reduction to the effectiveness of the strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. However, the Israeli military has suggested that this decrease may also indicate Iran's strategy to conserve its missile stocks for a prolonged conflict.

Reuters

Eran Lerman, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser, expressed that the initial week of strikes was intended to hasten the disintegration of Iran's ruling system. However, he noted that this outcome has not yet materialized, indicating that further degradation of Iran's military capabilities is necessary for achieving strategic objectives.

Reuters

• “Eran Lerman, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser, said the hope from the initial week of strikes was that Iran's ruling system would "begin to disintegrate earlier, more quickly".” — Eran Lerman, Former Israeli Deputy National Security Adviser

Reuters

There are discrepancies in estimates of Iran's missile stockpile, with Israeli military sources suggesting approximately 2,500 missiles, while other analysts claim the number could be as high as 6,000. The exact impact of the Israeli strikes on Iran's military capabilities remains unclear, as Tehran continues to conduct missile attacks despite the ongoing military operations.

Reuters