(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - Iran unleashed its second direct military assault against Israel on Tuesday with 181 ballistic missiles. All Israeli civilians were ordered into bomb shelters, and most missiles were intercepted. But this is an act of war against a sovereign state and American ally, and it warrants a response targeting Iran's military and nuclear assets. No country can let this become a new normal. The work by the U.S. and Israel to shoot down most of the missiles was spectacular, but it shouldn't have to be. After April's attack, the Biden Administration pressured Israel for a token response and President Biden said Israel should "take the win" since there was no great harm to Israel. Israel's restraint has now yielded this escalation, and it is under no obligation to restrain its retaliation this time. Iran's act of war is an opening to do considerable damage to the regime's missile program, drone plants, and nuclear sites. If there were ever cause to target Iran's nuclear facilities, this is it. Iran has shown that it might well use a bomb if it's acquired, and Tehran would certainly use it as deterrent cover for conventional and terrorist attacks on Israel, Sunni Arab states, and perhaps the U.S. Iran is closer than ever to a nuclear weapon and won't stop itself. The question for American and Israeli leaders is: If not now, when?
2024-10-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive