Why did Israel attack Iran now?

WASHINGTON (TNND) — At least four people were injured in Tel Aviv on Friday, according to emergency personnel, during Iran's counterattack. None of the injuries are reportedly serious.

Tensions in the Middle East have intensified as Iran's state television announced that more missiles are headed toward Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, saying Israel will conduct additional strikes against Iran as well.

The conflict began with Israeli drones emerging from a secret base on Iranian soil, crippling Iran's aerial defense system. This allowed Israel's air force to strike the core of Iran's nuclear program. The surprise attack resulted in the deaths of Iran's leading nuclear scientists and top military commanders who were personally targeted.

U.S. Navy and Army assets are being used to defend Israel. The U.S. had said they were not directly involved in the initial Israeli strike on Iran. President Donald Trump, though, says he was aware of Israel's plans.

Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi of the Israeli Defense Forces said he believes Netanyahu would have hit Iran now regardless of whether or not he had a green light from the U.S. "I think he would because it’s existential. But, I’m glad President Trump understands what we’re facing."

Israel saw an open window to attack and took it.

Iran's terror proxies along Israel's borders have been systematically weakened since the October 7th attack.

"There was an understanding that if we launched an attack on Iran, we have to fight all the proxies," Avivi said. "This was a large reason why Israel didn't attack. But circumstances have changed."

Hamas is hanging on by a thread in Gaza. Hezbollah is not faring much better in Lebanon. While the Houthis continue to fire missiles from Yemen, they are also weakened, partly due to U.S. aerial strikes. The Iraqi militias are in disarray and the Syrian regime that supported Iran has been toppled.

"So yes, Iran is really alone and that’s why Iran is trying to move faster towards nuclear capabilities. Israel is not going to let them do that," Avivi said.

Tehran has declared Israel's actions a declaration of war, a sentiment echoed by Danny Citrinowicz, a senior analyst with the INSS, a think tank based at Tel Aviv University.

"We are in a war with Iran. It’s not a campaign, it's not a friction, it’s a war," said Citrinowicz. "We have to be very cautious right now because we’re only on the beginning stages of probably a long campaign and operationally, yes we have the upper hand, but strategically we could find ourselves in the lower hand," Citrinowicz said.

Before Iran's counterattack, Iran's Ayatollah delivered a speech on state television, stating, "Strong action should be taken and will be taken. We will have no leniency."

"Israel is not just fighting the fight to defend Israel, Israel is fighting the fight for the whole Western world," Avivi said. "I don’t know if American society knows what a great danger Iran was not just for Israel but for everybody."