Israel on high alert over threat from Iranian proxy forces
Illustrative photo: Israeli army prepares for potential attack by Iranian proxies (Getty Images)
Israel recognizes that the country faces a threat from Iran-backed militant proxies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are therefore preparing for a possible attack, IDF spokesperson and reserve Major Anna Ukolova stated in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
"The Israel Defense Forces understand that the possibility of various Iranian proxies joining the conflict exists. The IDF is actively preparing for such a scenario," Ukolova said in response to a request to assess the risk of large-scale involvement by Iran’s allied groups.
She recalled that on March 2, Hezbollah joined the war, launching rocket strikes and drone attacks on Israeli territory. In response, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir decided to begin a large-scale operation against Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
According to Ukolova, Israel has been countering nearly all Iranian proxy forces for the past two and a half years.
"We are ready to continue doing so. The Israeli army is on heightened alert on all fronts. We are monitoring the situation and are prepared to repel any attack on the territory of the State of Israel," she emphasized.
Israel’s strike on Iran
Escalation in the Middle East entered a phase of large-scale hostilities following a joint Israeli and US strike on Iran, carried out after the final collapse of nuclear negotiations on February 26, 2026.
As part of the operation, the IDF deployed about 200 fighter jets and struck more than 500 strategic targets, including air defense systems and missile launchers in Tehran, Isfahan, and other cities. A state of emergency was declared in Israel, the airspace was closed, and educational institutions were shut down.
A key outcome of the attack was the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose residence was completely destroyed.
More details on developments in the Middle East are available in RBC-Ukraine’s full report.
