Washington, DC – With incredibly long odds of achieving a diplomatic solution that actually ends Iran’s nuclear program, and with Israel intent on exercising a military option, a new report says time has run out and the United States must be prepared, not only for the immediate aftermath of a strike targeting Iran’s nuclear program, but have a strategy to limit the risk of a wider war.

Last Best Chance: U.S. Policy for an Israeli Strike on Iran, a new report released today by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, provides a comprehensive “no daylight” strategy for close U.S.-Israel cooperation on a military strike and its aftermath. Working together, the two countries must maximize the effectiveness of a full campaign, not a one-off strike, against Iran’s expansive nuclear infrastructure. And they must work together to prevent major Iranian retaliation and keep it from renewing its nuclear drive.

“Ideally, direct U.S.-Iran talks will quickly produce a deal to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear weapons program, but the odds of success are incredibly low,” said JINSA President and CEO Michael Makovsky. “The president has repeatedly said the U.S. can’t tolerate a nuclear Iran, which would threaten our allies, America’s position in the Mideast, and ultimately the eastern seaboard of the U.S.”

To address this threat and limit the fallout, the report recommends:

• The United States, ideally, would be a full partner with Israel, or at a minimum provide it with essential support, in both the strike itself and in managing the aftermath.

• In addition to transferring critical capabilities to Israel, the Trump administration should offer aerial refueling, combat search and rescue, intelligence, air defense, and preemptive action against potential Iranian ballistic missile retaliation.

• Washington should warn Iran that any major retaliation will put at direct risk the regime itself, including its political, military, and economic centers of gravity.

• Washington and Jerusalem also must make clear they have prepared economic, diplomatic, military, and covert means to prevent Iran from trying to reconstitute its nuclear weapons program after any strike.

“Iran wants slow-moving, inconclusive, and indirect talks with the Trump administration to making its nuclear weapons infrastructure even more advanced, opaque, and invulnerable to threats,” said Jonathan Ruhe, JINSA Director of Foreign Policy. “Dragging out diplomacy also buys Tehran precious time to rebuild its shattered defenses and missile arsenals, and thereby close its current window of vulnerability to U.S.-Israeli military action.”

To influence Iran’s decision making, the report includes recommendations for the Trump administration and Congress that would send a unified signal to Tehran that any escalation will result in further U.S.-led military, diplomatic, economic, and covert action.

The only hope for preventing a nuclear Iran at this late stage, diplomatically or otherwise, is to eliminate all daylight between the United States and Israel.

Read the Report

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2025

Washington, DC – The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) congratulates IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin on his appointment to serve as the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Spokesperson.

Since September 2024, BG Defrin has been a Visiting Fellow at JINSA’s Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy. During his fellowship, he published several papers, including on securing the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt and suppressing Iran’s Ring of Fire in Lebanon. Most recently, on February 25, he participated in a JINSA webinar with another JINSA Visiting Fellow, IDF BG Shai Klapper, on the challenges for Israel in Lebanon.

Before that, BG Defrin headed the IDF’s International Cooperation Division, and was a combat officer, suffering a near-fatal wound in the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

BG Defrin participated in the JINSA-Zuckerman program for active-duty Israeli brigadier generals and colonels, which educates participants about U.S. foreign policy. The departing IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, participated in the same program.

JINSA President & CEO Dr. Michael Makovsky said of BG Defrin’s appointment, “Effie is a super guy, decent and honest, with deep international experience and strong communications skills. He’ll need to draw upon those skills in this new, very difficult position amid war and a challenging media environment. Under his leadership, I am confident that the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit will continue to operate with professionalism, responsibility, and ethical guidance, maintaining transparency and credibility, just as he has demonstrated throughout his distinguished service. JINSA wishes Effie the best of luck.”

JINSA Senior Vice President for Israeli Affairs IDF Major General (ret.) Yaacov Ayish, who served as BG Defrin’s commander in the military, said, “Effie’s combat experience, and particularly his command of a battalion during the Second Lebanon War, where he was wounded and demonstrated extraordinary resilience throughout his recovery, is a testament to Effie’s unwavering dedication and leadership, even in the most challenging circumstances. These qualities will undoubtedly serve Effie well as he takes on this vital role, navigating the complexities of public diplomacy and strategic communications.”

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