The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for potential strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities following the weakening of Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East and the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. The IDF has been increasing its readiness and preparations for such strikes. The IDF believes that Iran may push ahead with its nuclear program and develop a bomb as it scrambles to replace its deterrence. The IDF also announced that it has achieved total air superiority in Syria, which could enable safer passage for Israeli Air Force aircraft to carry out a strike on Iran. The IDF destroyed 86% of the former Assad regime's air defense systems in Syria, including the Pantsir-S1 and the Buk systems. Only a handful of air defense systems now remain in Syria and they are not considered a major threat to the IAF. The IDF has also bombed all of the border crossings between Syria and Lebanon to prevent weapons from reaching Hezbollah.