Ex-Pentagon Official: Israel Could Be Destroyed by Iran

Date: 26 October 2025 - 21:48

News ID: ۱۴۵۰۹۶

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON – Retired U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson has warned that Israel could seek to involve the United States in a potential war with Iran, saying the Zionist regime would face devastating consequences if it acted alone.

Wilkerson, a former chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, made the remarks during an interview with American commentator Jackson Hinkle on the web show Legitimate Targets, which aired online Saturday.

Referring to a 12-day war between Israel and Iran that began on June 13, Wilkerson said the United States became

involved after bombing three major Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, just before a ceasefire took effect on June 24 following an Israeli request. Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting sites inside Israel and an American airbase in Qatar.
“The Iranians have some very sophisticated missiles today that shocked Israel,” Wilkerson said. “These are missiles the Israelis cannot shoot down with any air defense system, THAAD, Patriot, or anything else.”
He said the predominantly indigenous Iranian missiles played a key role in Israel agreeing to the ceasefire, which came after the entity experienced significant losses. Wilkerson noted that casualties from Iranian strikes were limited because Tehran avoided targeting civilian sites.
On the prospect of another Israeli strike aimed at Iran’s nuclear facilities, Wilkerson warned that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would likely depend on U.S. support.
“Israel will be destroyed if they take Iran on single-handedly,” Wilkerson said. “If Netanyahu believes there’s even an 80–90% chance the U.S. will reluctantly come in behind him, he will act. Otherwise, Israel cannot succeed alone.”