On the evening of March 5, the Israeli Defence Forces' chief of general staff, Zamir, told reporters that operations against Iran had moved beyond an initial raid phase. Having asserted air superiority and suppressed Iranian ballistic-missile positions, the IDF is preparing what he described as a next stage that will inflict greater damage on the foundations of Iran's regime and its military capabilities.
The statement signals a deliberate shift in Israeli strategy from limited, deniable strikes toward a more sustained campaign aimed at systemic degradation. Israeli language about targeting the “roots” of the regime suggests plans that could extend beyond discrete military sites to infrastructure, logistics, and command-and-control networks that underpin Iran’s regional influence and deterrent forces.
This development matters because any enlargement of the campaign increases the risk of escalation across the Middle East. Iran can respond through direct strikes, ballistic missiles, cyberattacks, or by activating allied militias across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen; each pathway raises the chance of wider conflict and civilian harm. For capitals far from the region, the danger is indirect but real: disruption to shipping in the Gulf, higher energy prices and pressure on allies to choose sides.
The announcement follows a period of intensified attacks and counter-attacks in the region, during which Israel has repeatedly sought to degrade projectile and missile threats. Declaring air superiority is a tactical claim that, if accurate, gives Israel greater freedom to strike deeper or more sensitive targets, but it does not eliminate the vulnerabilities that come with a broader campaign, including sustained retaliatory strikes on Israeli infrastructure and on vessels or interests abroad.
Politically, the move will test Israel’s domestic and international posture. Inside Israel, leaders risk political blowback if escalation produces heavy Israeli or civilian casualties or drags the country into a protracted war. Internationally, friends and adversaries alike will watch whether Washington and European capitals provide diplomatic and military cover, urge restraint, or push for urgent de‑escalation and mediation.
For now, key indicators to watch are the scale and selectivity of future strikes, Iranian responses through state and proxy channels, and the reactions of major powers and regional actors. The declaration of a “next phase” is both a warning shot and a promise of intensified activity; whether it leads to limited strategic gains for Israel or spirals into broader confrontation will depend on the choices of several actors in the coming days and weeks.