Israel is doing a damn fine imitation of Lt. Frank Drebin, a character played by Leslie Nielsen in the 1988 comedy film The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! In an iconic scene, Lt. Drebin stands in front of a fireworks explosion and chaos while trying to calm the crowd by saying:

“Nothing to see here, please disperse! Nothing to see here!”

Update on Iran’s Targeting of Israel’s Defense Industry
by Larry C. Johnson

Despite the absurd mayhem behind him, he earnestly pretends that nothing is wrong—a hallmark of the film’s slapstick, deadpan humor. That’s exactly what Israel is doing in the wake of 12 days of Iranian missile attacks all across the length of Israel. According to the IDF, Iran was only able to hit 36 targets out of over 500 missiles and 1000 drones fired by Iran. Right. Israel’s Channel 13 says otherwise

Iran claims it attacked almost all scientific, research, and academic centers, factories and industries affiliated with Rafael and Elbit Systems, as well as other arms manufacturing and artificial intelligence factories. For example, Iran claims it destroyed Intel’s chip manufacturing plant, located in the occupied settlement of Kiryat Gat south of Tel Aviv. If true, this has inflicted as much as $5 billion in losses on the Zionist regime. Facilities and factories of other US companies in Israel, which include Intel, Microsoft, Tesla, Google, and Apple also were targeted by Iran.

Rafael and Elbit Systems are deeply integrated into Israel’s defense, academic, and industrial landscape. Rafael has strong ties with Ben-Gurion University and maintains multiple R&D and production sites across Israel, while Elbit Systems leads national research consortia and operates numerous factories, including those acquired from IMI Systems. Both companies maintain extensive collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and partner with a wide range of academic, governmental, and industrial entities. 

Here’s a summary of the affiliates:

Academic and Research Centers
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU): Rafael has a significant research and development branch at the Advanced Technologies Park (ATP) adjacent to BGU in Beer-Sheva. This partnership allows Rafael to tap into BGU’s engineering talent and research, particularly in fields like cyber security, robotics, and high-tech engineering.
• Other R&D Centers: Rafael maintains research and development centers in Haifa (its headquarters), Hadera, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Be’er Sheva.

Industrial and Production Facilities
• Haifa: Main headquarters and primary R&D and manufacturing site.
• Shlomi: New production branch opened in 2021, near Israel’s border with Lebanon.
• Other Locations: Expanded operations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva.
• International Joint Ventures: Rafael has a joint venture with Raytheon in Arkansas, USA, for production of Tamir interceptors for the Iron Dome and its US variant, SkyHunter.

Industry Partnerships
• Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD): Rafael was founded as Israel’s national R&D laboratory for the MOD and maintains a close relationship with about half its sales to the MOD.
• Over 100 Governmental, Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations: Rafael collaborates with numerous entities in Israel and abroad, leveraging mutual technological strengths.

Academic and Research Centers
• Israel Innovation Authority Consortium: Elbit Systems leads a consortium approved by the Israel Innovation Authority, focusing on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) technologies. This consortium includes leading robotics companies and academic researchers specializing in artificial intelligence, computer science, and behavioral sciences.

Industrial and Production Facilities
• Headquarters: Based in Israel, with multiple subsidiaries and production facilities across the country.
• IMI Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries): Acquired by Elbit in 2018, expanding its industrial base.

Industry Partnerships
• Israeli Ministry of Defense: Elbit is a major supplier to the MOD, recently signing significant contracts for domestic production of munitions and raw materials.
• Subsidiaries: Includes Elisra and other notable Israeli defense technology companies.

I do not know if we will ever get a genuine, truthful battle damage assessment out of Israel, but I think that Israel’s quick embrace of the ceasefire signals that many of the installations listed above were hit by Iranian missiles. Iran destroyed the myth of Israeli invincibility.

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Donald Trump continued his Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog act, by unloading on Ayatollah Khamenei:

Why would the so-called "Supreme Leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he
won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie, it is not
so. As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie. His Country was
decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I
knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or
the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the
World, terminate his life. I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND
IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, "THANK YOU,
PRESIDENT TRUMP!" In fact, in the final act of the War, I demanded
that Israel bring back a very large group of planes, which were
heading directly to Tehran, looking for a big day, perhaps the final
knockout! Tremendous damage would have ensued, and many
Iranians would have been killed. It was going to be the biggest attack
of the War, by far. During the last few days, I was working on the
possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have
given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete
recovery - The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a
statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all
work on sanction relief, and more. Iran has to get back into the World
Order flow, or things will only get worse for them. They are always so
angry, hostile, and unhappy, and look at what it has gotten them - A
burned out, blown up Country, with no future, a decimated Military, a
horrible Economy, and DEATH all around them. They have no hope,
and it will only get worse! I wish the leadership of Iran would realize
that you often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR.
PEACE!!!

Maybe Trump should consider taking his own advice… i.e., You get more with Honey than you do with Vinegar. Trump’s tirade elicited this response from Iran’s Foreign Minister:

The complexity and tenacity of Iranians is famously known in our magnificent carpets, woven through countless hours of hard work and patience. But as a people, our basic premise is very simple and straightforward: we know our worth, value our independence, and never allow anyone else to decide our destiny.

If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers.

The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to “Daddy” to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults. If Illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its Real Capabilities, which will certainly END any Delusion about the Power of Iran.

Good will begets good will, and respect begets respect.

If Trump is trying to woo the Iranians back to the negotiating table, he may want to change his use of insults and character assassination. Just saying. Based on this latest exchange of messages, I think substantive talks between Iran and the US are unlikely.

Today, I discussed the latest developments in West Asia/the Middle East with Nima and with Judge Napolitano and brother Ray McGovern. I also am posting a conversation from yesterday with Michael Farris.

https://sonar21.com/update-on-irans-targeting-of-israels-defense-industry/

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