Iran executed its massive drone and missile attack on Saturday night with audacity and restraint, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria. Iran obtained optimal results by exercising its legitimate right to retaliate against an attack on its territory in Syria while adhering to the United Nations norms and regulations.

Following Iran's measured and focused retaliation, the US, its European allies, and "Israel" quickly boasted that they had successfully shot down nearly all Iranian drones and missiles, including a staggering 100 ballistic missiles. The initial reactions show that the occupation forces are trying to sweep their humiliation under the rug, as Iran made its objectives crystal clear.

US President Joe Biden rushed to calm down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night over the phone, assuring him that no "valuable" objects were struck and no cruise missiles collided, indicating that Iran's attacks had been mainly "a storm in a teacup." 

Iran achieved its objectives

Iran had no intention of committing acts of mass destruction or targeting the civilian population. Iran focused its efforts on specific military installations that "Israel" used during the Damascus operation. Iran has explicitly stated that its operation was exceedingly limited in scope and target-oriented, implying that it would only strike designated areas.

Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian army, addressed these precise points when he stated that "no intention was to continue this operation" and that the attack had "fully accomplished its objectives." Bagheri elaborated that the targets of Iran's retaliation were an "intelligence center" and the air base from which, according to Tehran, Israeli F-35 aircraft launched their April 1 attack on the Damascus consulate. He stated, "Both of these centers were substantially destroyed," despite “Israel's” claim that the attack caused only minor damage.

On Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi posted on X that the Islamic Republic targeted the military bases of the usurping regime based on a legitimate right to defend Iran and teach it a lesson through a successful operation. “I warn that any new steps taken against the interests of the Iranian nation will be met with a stronger response, bringing the enemy’s regret,” he added.

Who lit the fuse first?

Iran, after the Damascus debacle, promised retaliation after informing the US and neighboring countries. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, stated on Sunday that Tehran had notified the United States and issued a 72-hour warning to neighboring countries in advance of its retaliatory strike against “Israel”. "We conveyed to the White House in a message that our military activities would be limited, minimal, and focused on retribution against the Israeli regime," he explained.

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Al Mayadeen, quoting an Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, said on Monday that the occupation entity committed a “strategic farce” by kicking the hornet's nest at the Iranian consulate in Damascus; the daily spoke of "Israel” suffering from a "strategic failure" by attacking the Iranian consulate. The newspaper highlighted that since the assassination of senior IRGC advisors a couple of weeks ago, "Israel" has been under immense tension for two weeks amid an atmosphere of fearful panic that paralyzed the whole regime.

It questioned, "Why did they carry out an assassination that could trigger a chain reaction, further complicating the situation in the North and South, especially when the flames of war were raging?"

The outlet concluded that Tehran orchestrated a historic attack, even though "Israel" had assumed that it would not strike back. The decision to kill the IRGC leaders during the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus was premature, the newspaper added.

Netanyahu walking on thin ice

Iran implemented a comprehensive strategy, placing its adversary in a challenging situation. "Israel" is on the fence about whether to hit back at Iran's attack or show restraint. “Israel's” former top brass, Tamir Hayman, posted on X, suggesting that “Israel's” response could be complex due to its participation in an unofficial alliance with the US, UK, France, and Jordan to thwart Iran's missiles and drones. Hayman revealed that "Israel's" Western and Arab allies are stifling its freedom of action, urging it not to retaliate against Iran's attack.

US President Joe Biden and his national security team have clearly communicated to their Israeli counterparts that the US will not engage in any unwarranted actions against Iran. Biden attempted to portray “Israel's” interception of the Iranian onslaught as a positive development, suggesting that further Israeli action was unnecessary. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby drove the point home on Monday, stating that we shouldn't simply roll over and accept a never-ending cycle of escalation in the region just because Iran pulled off this out-of-the-blue attack.

In addition to feeling the heat, “Israel” is also likely to take its own house order into account. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading the most right-wing coalition in the country's history, maintaining stability would require careful maneuvering with the hardliners.

Netanyahu has faced significant criticism at home due to his inability to prevent the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and his inability to secure the release of over 100 captives who remain in Gaza.

Netanyahu's own skin is on the line, so he needs to go all out and broaden the war to create some distance between himself and the October 7 attack and the bloody aftermath in Gaza. So far, the death toll has reached a staggering 33,000.

What occurs if 'Israel' strikes back?

Netanyahu has already been permitted by the Israeli war cabinet to act in whatever way he sees fit. A strong right-wing alliance that supported “Israel” striking back after Iran’s retaliation on military installations comprised the majority of cabinet members. Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant informed US Defense Secretary Lloyd on Sunday that Iran's historic missile and drone attack over the weekend forced “Israel” to retaliate.

The facts on the ground show that the initial goodwill that “Israel” had from the international community eventually faded because, since October 7, Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 33,970 Palestinian deaths and 76,770 injuries as of day 195. Gaza is on the verge of collapse. They have opened fire on the UN and other international relief workers, as well as humanitarian convoys, and demolished schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, the entire community—including “Israel's” allies—has called for moderation and a truce; yet, only one humanitarian pause has occurred.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) received charges of genocide against "Israel" for the first time; close-knit nations like China and Russia denounced “Israel's” actions; and even the US started to impose sanctions on Israeli organizations operating illegally in the West Bank.

“Israel” seems determined to consider its options, Tehran has already warned that if “Israel” or the US responded with military options to Iran's strike on “Israel”, Iran would retaliate with greater force. This raises the prospect that "Israel's" irresponsible conduct might ignite a wider war and plunge the entire region into turmoil.