This week, Khamenei increased the tension in a television address, equating the airstrike on the consulate with a direct action against Iran. “When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.”

This is starting to look like a misjudgment, because America’s tone towards Israel has suddenly changed markedly. President Biden promised Israel “ironclad” support against aggression from Iran, and pledged “to do all we can to protect Israel’s security.” As a reminder of the close relationship, General Michael Kurilla, head of United States central command, which covers the Middle East and central Asia, has traveled to Israel to co-ordinate military preparedness with the defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and the IDF chief of staff, General Herzi Halevi. ...

Iran’s dire threats have come at an ideal time for Israel. Rarely in its history has the country been so isolated diplomatically, and the strain on its relationship with America must cause it real concern. But fist-shaking from the clerics in Tehran has reminded the United States of the broader context: Israel remains the Middle East’s only real liberal democracy, an important economic actor and bound to America by countless ties of history and past experience.