'War may be over, campaign against Iran continues', expert warns
Beni Sabti, a researcher on Iran at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), spoke on Thursday morning with Nissim Mishal and Noa Dromi on 103FM, addressing the resurgence of covert conflict between Israel and Iran.
"While the war may be over, the campaign against the Iranian regime continues," Sabti said at the outset of the interview.
Initially, Sabti explained, he attributed recent incidents in Iran to accidents and extreme heat. "But then explosions began erupting in the neighborhoods of senior officials, near a scientific facility tied to the missile program, and in several other sensitive locations. Even The New York Times has partially confirmed these events," he noted.
"With so many spies, agents, and anti-regime operatives active inside Iran, it's clear that this shadow war is ongoing, though not at the intensity we witnessed during the 12-day conflict. It's now operating below the radar, without missiles flying or direct strikes."
Signs of unrest within Iranian establishment
Sabti pointed to signs of unrest within the Iranian establishment. "There are protests, though not on a massive scale. But that's typical of the Iranian public, they're not like Israelis, who demand everything immediately. Iranians are patient. They work according to a different timetable."
Regarding diplomacy, Sabti stated that direct negotiations between Iran and the United States are currently stalled. "The Iranians are playing the role of the aggrieved, citing the war and the significant, more than supportive, US involvement. While direct dialogue with Washington isn't taking place, deputy foreign ministers from Europe are set to meet with an Iranian deputy minister in the coming days. Judging by the rank of the participants, it's evident that this track isn't likely to produce real results."
Sabti emphasized that Tehran's main diplomatic objective is to halt the 'snapback' mechanism, UN sanctions that could automatically be reinstated. "This is the Iranian method: preventing the next catastrophe rather than achieving a breakthrough. But it isn't working."
He also pointed to a notable shift in Iranian rhetoric. "Analysts have measured a sharp decline in threats and inflammatory language from Tehran, including toward Israel. Even high-profile figures, like the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, have gone quiet. They appear deterred. The word 'revenge' has all but disappeared from their vocabulary."
Sabti recalled a surprising comment from Iran's foreign minister, who told Fox News that destroying Israel is not a declared goal of the Islamic Republic. "They were hit hard, and they seem unwilling to risk facing such a blow again."
Concluding the interview, Sabti remarked: "Over the past hundred years, Iran has rarely initiated major confrontations. They provoke continuously, yes, we've endured 45 years of that. Eventually, we hit back. But who truly started it? The Iranians. I don't see them initiating a new escalation in the coming months."
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