The new “wave of tension” between Iran and Israel essentially turned out to be a staged event aimed at preventing Tehran from losing face. Meanwhile, Netanyahu managed to use the “Iranian attack” to his advantage
Yesterday’s air attack by Iran on Israel, as expected, ended in vain. The attack was carried out mainly using Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicles and a variety of long-range missiles. Hezbollah in southern Lebanon also supported Iran’s attack by firing hundreds of missiles.
However, most of the Iranian drones were destroyed before reaching their target. Almost all missiles in Jordanian airspace were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system before they reached Israel. In addition, American planes that took off from Jordan and neighboring countries were also detected in the airspace in order to carry out preventive measures.
Only one rocket was reported to have hit Israeli territory, but there is no exact data on casualties and destruction.
Before Iran’s drones reached Israel, Iran’s UN representative declared that “Iran’s operation is now complete.” All of this clearly demonstrates that Iran’s attacks were not intended to harm Israel and seek real revenge, but were rather intended to show the public that Iran had fulfilled its promise and restored the damaged image of the state. How else can you announce the end of a military operation without knowing the results of your attack?
This is not the first demonstrative action by Iran to save face. Let us recall that former US President Donald Trump said in one of his speeches that Iran warned him in advance, when he was president, about plans to attack the American base in Iraq. Then Tehran, helplessly firing several missiles at this base, created the appearance of taking revenge for Qassem Soleimani.
Yesterday’s “action of intimidation” against Israel was carried out in a similar vein. According to reports, the US has previously warned both sides of the need for restraint and urged them to avoid large-scale operations that could lead to escalation and war.
After Iran announced the attack last night, Tel Aviv announced a meeting of the war cabinet and then waited for several hours for the arrival of Iranian drones.
View of the Israeli capital Tel Aviv as Iran launched its attack / Photo: AA
However, Israel’s war strategy is based on the doctrine of preemptive strikes. It is inconceivable that a proponent of war like Netanyahu, who does not respect any international rules, would not launch preemptive attacks on Iran and not strike Tehran long before Iran strikes the Jewish state. So, did Netanyahu really sit and wait for Iran to attack and missiles to fall on his territory? This clearly appears to be a pre-negotiated, permitted and limited operation.
Israel’s War Cabinet has given Netanyahu the authority to decide on retaliatory counterattacks. In addition, Israel convened a meeting of the UN Security Council to condemn the Iranian attack and request that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard be designated a terrorist organization. This indicates that the process will continue in the diplomatic field. If public pressure arises in Israel, the possibility of attacking Iranian territories with a limited number of missiles cannot be ruled out. However, over time, this likelihood decreases.
One more detail: if Iran’s intention was to attack Israel and take revenge, then why did the Tehran authorities announce the end of the operation when the drones had not yet reached Israel? Ending an operation without knowing the damage done seems more like propaganda than revenge.
Perhaps this time the United States, not seeing the need for a new war in the region, was able to convince Netanyahu to accept Iran’s demonstrative strikes. Israel did not suffer from “Iranian retaliation”; rather, on the contrary, after criminal acts in Palestine, Tel Aviv managed to once again receive broad international support in its confrontation with the “Iranian threat”.
This doesn’t just apply to relations with the US; Israel, by showing such passivity in response to Iran’s attack, probably hopes to change the attitude of the Western world.
Iran, in turn, is carrying out this show in its own interests, providing Israel with new opportunities on the Palestinian issue. By trying to maintain the prestige of the state and conducting coordinated and negotiated battles, Iran will likely continue to manipulate the masses and build its system of power.
Iran appears to have won and put on its show. Netanyahu also benefited. After all, by pointing out the “Iranian threat,” he will be able to weaken the growing criticism both within the country and in the West.
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