Former Mossad official says Iran was underestimated by Trump administration

CBS News
March 30, 2026
3 min read

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Former Mossad official says Trump administration underestimated Iran's capabilities amid regional conflict escalation.

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A former Mossad official has argued that the Trump administration underestimated Iran's capabilities and intentions, according to an interview with correspondent Holly Williams. The criticism emerges as Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have escalated their involvement in the broader conflict with Israel, demonstrating Tehran's ability to mobilize proxy forces across the region. The assessment suggests potential gaps in the White House's strategic assessment of Iranian regional influence and its capacity to expand the conflict beyond direct Israeli-Iranian confrontation. The Houthis' involvement underscores how Iran has leveraged non-state actors to extend its reach and challenge Israel without direct military engagement. This criticism reflects ongoing debate among Israeli and U.S. officials about the proper strategy for countering Iranian regional expansion.

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