Israel’s residential reinforced rooms ( mamadim ), floor-level secure spaces ( mamakim ), and community bomb shelters ( miklatim) are designed to withstand missile strikes and drone attacks, including those equipped with heavy warheads, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command.

Through its proxies, Iran once dominated the Middle East. After October 7 and the current war with Iran, the Islamic Republic's position in the Middle East might shift.

Looking ahead, the IDF warned that Iran’s damaged nuclear facilities could take months or even longer to repair.

Israel may be trying to take advantage of a window: Iran has reportedly not yet rebuilt air defences which were degraded by an Israeli attack in October, and Iran’s strongest proxy in the region, Hezbollah in Lebanon, has been significantly weakened by Israeli action.

After such a devastating attack from Israel, Iran’s leaders see no choice but to fight back. Any sign of weakness would severely undermine the regime’s legitimacy at home.