Israel’s recent strikes on Iran have shaken up an already tense Middle Eastern landscape, targeting Iran’s air defenses and key missile production facilities.

This was no small operation—reports say Israel deployed around 100 aircraft to hit critical sites, damaging infrastructure that feeds Iran’s missile program. This action follows rising tensions in the region, with Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah and its rumored deployment of troops to aid Russia in Ukraine’s war.

Adding to the conversation, retired US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie recently weighed in on the broader regional security threats posed by Iran and its allies, sharing some revealing insights on the United States’ role in countering these challenges.

Here’s what’s happening on the ground, and how McKenzie sees the big picture.

Israel’s Strikes: Precision Over Power

After Iran launched a missile salvo on October 1 in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, Israel’s response was calculated but forceful.

Instead of going for high-stakes targets like Iran’s nuclear or oil infrastructure, Israel hit where it would hurt in a different way.

They took out strategic air defenses, including some protecting oil refineries, and targeted three major missile production sites. This wasn’t a flashy display; it was about long-term damage, specifically targeting bottlenecks in Iran’s missile production process that will be challenging for Tehran to fix anytime soon.

Satellite images from sites in Shahroud, Parchin, and Khojir show the visible impact of these strikes, especially on the Russian S-300 air defense systems Iran uses.