Interviewed by CNN, Yaakov Katz explained: Israel has yet to achieve its main objective of significantly setting back Iran’s nuclear program and it should have humility with its goals and not let ambitions to achieve regime change to creep in.

Former Israeli National Security Advisor, Dr. Eyal Hulata, analyzes timing, intelligence, and strategy behind Israel’s strike on Iran in JPPI podcast

Dr. Eyal Hulata, former Israeli National Security Advisor and 23-year Mossad veteran, joined The Jewish People’s Podcast for an exclusive conversation on Israel’s current military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear program. In a detailed interview with host Yaakov Katz, Hulata offers deep insight into the intelligence tipping points, strategic logic, and operational achievements shaping this historic moment.

Hulata, who led Israel’s national effort against Iran under the Bennett-Lapid government and worked closely with the Biden administration’s security team, revealed why Israel launched its campaign now:

“The Supreme Leader made the decision to resume weaponization. Once that happened, we couldn’t afford to wait.”

According to Hulata, Israeli intelligence detected Iran shifting from threshold status to active pursuit of a nuclear weapon. This, coupled with the collapse of Iran’s regional “ring of fire” strategy and the dismantling of its air defenses, made this window of opportunity unique—and urgent.

Unprecedented Operational Gains, Lingering Strategic Risks

Dr. Hulata praised the combined efforts of the Israeli Air Force and Mossad in achieving air superiority over Tehran and striking critical nuclear infrastructure:

“The fact that we’re operating freely over Iranian skies is nothing short of astonishing. It’s a testament to years of planning and unmatched capability.”

Yet, he cautioned, key vulnerabilities remain. Israel lacks the heavy ordnance needed to destroy deeply buried sites like Fordow, and Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium are still dispersed across multiple sites.

“Even with American support, you cannot bomb away all of Iran’s nuclear know-how. But you can buy time—and delay the bomb significantly.”

Pathways Forward: Three Strategic Endgames

Dr. Hulata outlined three possible scenarios for how this conflict could end:

A full military conclusion, potentially with U.S. involvement.

A diplomatic breakthrough, in which President Trump leverages Iran’s weakened position to secure a better nuclear deal.

Ongoing Israeli operations, through continued intelligence, cyber, and covert action to prevent Iran’s reconstitution.

“The one thing we cannot afford,” Hulata stressed, “is to be right back here in a year or two. We need an ending mechanism—military, diplomatic, or otherwise.”

Dr. Eyal Hulata is currently a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC.