Israeli Attack on Iran: A 'Nothingburger'?
The Attack and its Aftermath
The Israeli military response against Iran, which took place during the night and early morning hours, is reportedly over. The Israeli military (IDF) has declared the response "concluded" after hitting locations in three provinces of Iran. About 100 Israeli warplanes were deployed, primarily over Jordanian airspace, for the unprecedented attack. The targets reportedly included key missile, drone, and other military sites, including air defense installations. However, Iranians are treating it as if it was insignificant, and there's a growing consensus among Western analysts that the attack was remarkably limited in scale. According to Israeli military officials, the attack did not involve Iranian nuclear or oil sites.
IDF Spokesman's Statement
Daniel Hagari, IDF Spokesman, confirmed that the Israeli response to Iran's attack against Israel had concluded. He stated that targeted and precise strikes were conducted on military targets in Iran, thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel. Hagari also warned of a new major escalation if Iran chooses to respond militarily, stating that those who threaten the State of Israel and seek to drag the region into wider escalation will pay a heavy price.
Local Reports and Israeli Military Statement
Local reports of explosions near Tehran emerged around 2:15 local time, with subsequent strikes reported in the Karaj, Isfahan, and Shiraz areas. Israel's military stated it hit around 20 sites over several hours across the three provinces. Israeli media reported that while the first wave of warplanes targeted anti-air defense sites, subsequent waves targeted ballistic missile and drone manufacturing facilities, as well as launch sites. Israeli officials claim the operation aimed to degrade Iran's capability to launch another attack like those that occurred on April 14 and October 1.
Iran's Response and Israeli Air Force Statement
Iran confirmed that "limited damage" occurred at some bases and claimed that its air defenses countered many of the attacks, a narrative rejected by Israel. Israel's air force stated that it granted its pilots "wider freedom of aerial action in Iran," yet the operation appeared significantly less intense than Iran's October 1st attack on Israel. There are unclear reports that some locations inside Syria and possibly Iraq were hit during the broader Iran assault.
Mockery and Reactions
Some pro-Iran and pro-Syria accounts mocked the limited attack, calling it a "nothingburger" or saying the Israelis merely started some brush fires 1,000 miles away in Iran. Iranian social media accounts are widely mocking the Israeli operation. Iranian state TV reported that the loud blasts heard around Tehran were related to the activation of the air defense system against the actions of the Zionist regime. However, an Israeli official refuted the Iranian claim of interception, calling it "a lie."
Analysis and Comments
The Quincy Institute's Trita Parsi commented that while the Israeli attack is over, the outcome remains unclear. Tehran is downplaying it, which may reflect their desire to de-escalate rather than a true assessment of the damage Israel inflicted on Iran. Parsi suggested that just as Israel kept the damage of Iran's October 1 strikes secret, Iran will likely not disclose the full picture of Israel's strike.
Iranian State Media's Reaction
On Saturday, Iranian state media was filled with headlines outright mocking the somewhat muted Israeli attack. It appears that Israel's attack, which came over three weeks after October 1st, was more about theater than inflicting real and lasting damage on Iran. This was as many had expected, appearing to be more about sending a message while carefully avoiding escalation. There are even reports suggesting that Israel notified Tehran ahead of the impending strikes, warning the Iranians not to retaliate.
Bottom Line
It seems that the recent Israeli attack on Iran has sparked a range of reactions, from mockery to serious analysis. The scale of the attack and its actual impact remain points of contention. While some view it as a significant military response, others dismiss it as mere posturing. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and let us know your views. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
