After Iran’s attack on Israel was largely thwarted by the country’s defenses and key allies, attention has turned to how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could choose to respond.

“The fact that the Iranian attack was a total failure does not detract even an ounce from Israel’s obligation to retaliate against Iran for its direct act of aggression,” Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesman for the IDF and senior fellow at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) focused on the Middle East, told Fox News Digital.

The comments come after Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones from its own territory at Israel on Saturday, an attack that Israel claims was largely beaten back by its sophisticated defenses and the help of allies in the region.

But the brazen Iranian attempt has opened up questions about how Israel may choose to respond, even amid reports that the Biden administration has urged Netanyahu to show restraint in a bid to prevent an escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Israel could also use its own stockpile of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and attack drones, the report notes.

While such an attack has been gamed out, Taleblu argued it is unclear whether Israel would opt for such a dramatic response.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the War Cabinet, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv following the launch of drones from Iran and aimed at Israel. (Prime Minister of Israel @IsraeliPM on X)

“Despite two decades of alarm ringing over the Iranian nuclear program, Israel has thus far not overtly attacked Tehran’s nuclear program,” Taleblu said. “One wonders the degree to which this may change as Israel prepares its response.”

Speaking with CNN Sunday, retired Gen. David Petraeus noted that Israel will have plenty of options if it chooses to launch a response, including both overt and covert military actions.

“They can pursue asymmetric attacks, cyberspace and so forth,” Petraeus said. “And keep in mind that, of course, Washington is meeting with the other G7 countries to determine what kind of diplomatic and economic responses should follow in a coordinated effort as well.”

But whatever Israel decides, Taleblu said any plan will have to to come to a “theory of the case for victory.”

“Would it be going for a decapitation strike against regime leadership, a defanging strike against the regime’s long-range strike assets, or military bases, or a punishment strike that could perhaps target the energy and oil sectors, which is the financial lifeblood of the Islamic Republic,” Taleblu said.