Tehran claims to have acted in self-defense. And it's now over. But Netanyahu is preparing retaliation. And maybe a change of diet
Iran bombarded Tel Aviv with 180 ballistic and hypersonic missiles “in self-defense.” In accordance with “Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations”. And with which “only the military sites responsible for the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon” were targeted. Tehran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, justified the October 1 attack in a post on X. Meanwhile, Israel is preparing its response. Which will focus on the nuclear centers of the Islamic Republic. Yesterday morning, the Air Force bombed Syrian missile defenses. A way to facilitate the journey to Tehran. Which also remains in the crosshairs from a political point of view. With the aim of accelerating any regime change within it.
The Iranian attack
Araghchi said the Iranian attack came “after showing extreme restraint for almost two months.” To make way for a ceasefire in Gaza. » And he declared that from now on “our action is over, unless the Israeli regime decides on further reprisals”. In this scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful. » The attack was different from that in April, when the Iranians announced their actions in advance. Allow Israel a coordinated response with the United States and some Arab countries. Not this time. And the operation was preceded by a cyberattack against Tel Aviv's missile defense systems. Underground tunnels were used for launches. The goal was to hit with one shot. Avenge the assassinations of Haniyeh, Nasrallah and Commander Abbas Nilforoushan.
Israel's response
Israel's response lies entirely in Benjamin Netanyahu's video addressed to the Iranian people in which the Israeli Prime Minister offers his support for the “liberation struggle” against the Ayatollahs' regime. Iranian leaders also struck Tel Aviv because they had been receiving signals to this effect for some time. The next target after Gaza and Lebanon could be Tehran. So striking early could be a way to stop them, was the reasoning. The answer came after a long phase of hesitation. For fear of all-out war with Israel. But at a certain point, Tehran could no longer stop. Even if now the possibility of Israeli reprisals on Iranian territory is becoming more and more a certainty. With all the associated risks for a regime which will now also have to deal with the United States.
The objectives of reprisals
“Iran made a serious mistake and will pay the price,” the Israeli prime minister said. “We will stick to what we have established: whoever attacks us, we attack,” he concluded. While the United States, which helped its ally to shoot down Iranian missiles, declared that it wanted to “coordinate” with the Israelis a response to their sworn enemy. Even if yesterday's attack left a total of one dead and two injured. A Palestinian was killed in Jericho, in the occupied West Bank, by missile fragments, according to a Palestinian official. Two Israelis ended up in hospital according to emergency services. When asked whether “serious consequences” could include the bombing of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, starting with Natanz, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said only that “we do.” We will talk with the Israelis.”
Raids on nuclear centers
The most likely response today appears to be raids on nuclear centers. Although according to the Corriere della Sera the generals and Netanyahu decided not to rush. “We will decide when to make the regime pay and we will demonstrate our ability to surprise,” said Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. Even if there is a plan circulating at the top of government. What we have been thinking about since 2009. This is an attack against nuclear centers developed by the Islamic Republic. “The Air Force continues to operate at full capacity and tonight we will continue to strike with force in the Middle East as we have for the past year,” said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Air Force. the Israeli army, in a press release.
Bunker bombs
But the atomic sites have been thoroughly searched. To destroy them, anti-bunker bombs supplied by the Americans are needed. Without the support of the Pentagon, the raid would not have succeeded. Because it also involves traveling more than 1,500 kilometers in flight. But pilots have already trained to refuel in the sky. And the bombing of the Houthi-controlled port of Hedeida in Yenen, 1,800 km away, was seen as a dress rehearsal for reprisals. And the demonstration that the distance can be easily bridged.
What has happened so far
Israel declared war on Hamas after the Islamist movement's attack on October 7, 2023. Lebanese Hezbollah opened a front against Israel the next day in support of the allies. Last week, Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a raid claimed by Israel in the southern suburbs of Beirut. On July 31, Ismaïl Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, was killed in an attack while he was in Tehran. On April 13, in response to a deadly attack attributed to Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iran launched approximately 350 drones and explosive missiles toward Israel. Most of the missiles were intercepted.