Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel was the first step of a tough new strategy, Tehran claims, warning arch-foe Israel that any future attack will spark a direct and punishing response.
This marks a significant shift from past years when the Islamic Republic and Israel fought a shadow war of proxy fights and clandestine operations throughout the Middle East and occasionally further afield.
Late Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Israel, even from its territory, to retaliate for a deadly April 1 strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
Israel’s military said it intercepted 99 percent of the airborne with assistance from the United States and other allies, and that the nocturnal strike caused very minor damage.
Iran declared that the operation ‘successful’ after dealing heavy blows to Israel.
Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s political deputy, tweeted, “Iran’s victorious… operation means that the era of strategic patience is over”, through his official ‘X’ handle.
Jamshidi went on to say, “Now the equation has changed. Targeting Iranian personnel and assets by the regime will be met with a direct and punishing response”.
President Ebrahim Raisi stated that the operation had opened a new page and taught the Zionist enemy (Israel) a lesson.
Iran claims to have responded in self-defence after the Damascus strike destroyed its embassy’s consular annex and killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two generals.
Western nations condemned Iran’s reprisal as destabilizing the region.
Iran, on the other, claimed the attack was limited and asked Western nations to appreciate (its) restraint towards Israel, especially since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7.
Regional tensions have risen as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, which has involved Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Several IRGC members, including top commanders, have been killed in recent months in strikes in Syria which Iran has also attributed to Israel.
Also read: Iran Attack Puts Pressure On Benjamin Netanyahu While Allies Call For Caution
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