Iran will respond to any strike on its facilities or officers anywhere, even if it were in Lebanon or Syria, Tehran University Professor Mohammad Marandi told Al Mayadeen on Sunday following the Iranian retaliation against the Israeli act of aggression that targeted its consulate in Syria.

He emphasized that "Israel will be punished by Iran if it attacks Iran anywhere." 

Speaking about the Iranian strike on Israeli targets in occupied Palestine, he said that the Iranian operation was limited and carried out using old drones and unsophisticated missiles, as there were only 12 advanced missiles.

He added that the United States spent more than a billion dollars to respond to the Iranian strike, while Iran spent only a few million, pointing out that Iran deliberately sent low-cost drones that were cost-heavy for the Israeli occupation, and therefore the attack was financially and morally costly for "Israel". 

He added that the defense systems used by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France are very expensive and can be quickly depleted, as has been witnessed in Ukraine.

Marandi said Iran wanted to send two messages simultaneously to the United States and Gulf countries that host its bases through this operation, which is that they would be attacked if said bases were to be used against the Islamic Republic.

He went on to stress that Iran's strikes would undoubtedly strengthen the position of the Palestinian Resistance and weaken the Israeli occupation.

Iran imposed itself as major regional player

Scott Ritter, a writer and former Marine Corps officer, told Al Mayadeen that Iran sent a message to the United States that it is capable of breaching the Israeli occupation's sophisticated air defense.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that Iran made it clear through its attacks on "Israel" to the United States that it is perfectly capable of defeating the Israeli occupation's sophisticated air defenses.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/dbh1uGcaLF

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

He added that Washington is beginning to see that its capabilities in the Middle East are declining, and this began when Iran shot down a US drone under former US President Donald Trump.

He pointed out that one of the indicators of the decline of the US capabilities in the region has been its inability to stop Yemen's operations in the Red Sea.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that the #US is no longer able to deploy a million soldiers in the Middle East, nor do they have the capability to deploy tens of thousands of aircraft and fighters in the region.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/CDNqpYtM1E

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

Ritter said the United States could no longer do anything in the region, while Iran, on the other hand, is developing its capabilities and is able to harm Washington.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that the #US was practically told it could no longer do anything in the region as #Iran developed its capabilities and became capable of inflicting damage on #Washington. @RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/FcA1FcvrIu

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

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Ritter went on to ask: What does it mean for the United States to tell the Israeli occupation that it would defend it but would not support it in an attack on Iran?

The former Marine Corps officer stressed that if Iran continues for weeks to hit "Israel" with drones, it will completely expose it, stressing that no country in the world could defend the Israeli occupation if Iran wants to attack it.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that no country in the world can stand to defend the Israeli occupation if #Iran wanted to attack it.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/9ac9ICKhXD

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

On the impact of the Iranian operation, Ritter said that Israel is in a state of shock and relies on propaganda to mitigate the blow, stressing that Iran has imposed itself as a major player in the region.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that "Israel" is in a state of shock as it utilizes propaganda to try and undermine the severity of #Iran's strike as the latter imposes itself as a major regional player.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/hGFiimoJTt

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

He emphasized that the current Israeli government's policy in Gaza and the region is suicidal, noting that "Israel" will continue to make threats, but Netanyahu is unable to do anything because of Biden's pressure on him.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter asserts during an interview for #AlMayadeen that while the Israeli occupation may threaten #Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu will not be able to act due to international pressure.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/Nn6ozS8ZwZ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

Ritter concluded by stressing that the US plan for normalization and the establishment of a split along sectarian lines is no longer possible due to the recent events in Gaza.

Writer and former Marines intelligence officer Scott Ritter tells #AlMayadeen that he does not believe the #US will be capable of carrying out its plan of normalization and creating a sectarian divide in the region after all that happened in #Gaza.@RealScottRitter pic.twitter.com/5MAeZ2sy3B

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2024

A The Wall Street Journal report on Sunday detailed Western concerns that Iran's retaliatory attack against "Israel" signals a willingness to take "new escalatory risks" in its actions.

Employing standard anti-Iran propaganda terms to depict Iran's leadership, including the usage of the words "the puppet masters of Middle East mayhem", the report says that the Iranian attack should also be a clear message to Western leaders about Iran’s so-called "malevolent intentions."

The report further claimed that while most missiles being intercepted was a relief, owing to joint efforts on the part of the US, UK, and Jordan, it doesn't provide reassurance against potential future attacks.

"What happens if the next attack comes all at once from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria as well as Iran?" WSJ asks while calling this instance "another case of failed US deterrence."

Despite warnings from the White House, Iran proceeded with the attack, suggesting they were confident that the US would not respond militarily.  

The report further criticizes Biden's Iran policy, suggesting that attempts to appease Iran through sanctions relief and negotiations have only "encouraged Tehran to see how much more it can get away with."

Throughout history, the US has often fabricated false information to stoke anti-Iran sentiments among its population. One of the many fabricated facts is that the Iranian leadership is responsible for fueling tensions in the region. 

Tehran has publicly expressed support for the Palestinian Resistance and the people of Gaza but has repeatedly denied any involvement in the activities of other groups in the region. EU foreign policy chief has himself admitted the latter.