Israel Says Few More Weeks Needed to Degrade Iran's Military

Senior Israeli security official says IDF is close to completing military objectives against Iran

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A senior Israeli security official told ABC News that the Israel Defense Forces need 'a few more weeks' to fully degrade Iranian military capabilities, such as missile-launchers. The official expressed concerns that U.S.-Iran talks could lead to a deal that does not extract significant enough concessions from Iran.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has significant geopolitical implications for the region and global energy markets. Israel's assessment of the military situation and its concerns about potential negotiations could impact the trajectory of the conflict.

The details

The senior Israeli security official, speaking anonymously, said the IDF has conducted 8,500 strikes in Iran since late February, destroying about 70% of Iran's missile-launchers. However, the official warned that 'war is not a one bang and it's over' and that more time is needed to fully degrade Iran's military. The official described the speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, as leading the talks with the Trump administration, calling him 'an extremist' and saying Israel would refrain from attempting to kill him as long as the talks continue.

  • Since late February, the IDF has conducted 8,500 strikes in Iran.
  • The IDF has destroyed about 70% of Iran's overall arsenal of missile-launchers.

The players

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

The military forces of Israel responsible for conducting operations against Iran.

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf

The speaker of Iran's Parliament who is reportedly leading the talks with the Trump administration, described by the Israeli official as 'an extremist'.

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What they’re saying

“We are achieving more and more of our objectives.”

— Israeli military official, Part of the IDF division that coordinates operations deep inside enemy territory

“War is not a one bang and it's over. It's an ongoing machine.”

— Israeli military official, Part of the IDF division that coordinates operations deep inside enemy territory

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.