New Phase in Israel-Iran Conflict
Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran early Saturday morning has initiated a new and perilous chapter in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. While the attack has escalated tensions, analysts suggest that it has not yet triggered the onset of an all-out war.
This operation marks a significant milestone, as it is the first instance in which Israel has publicly acknowledged conducting military actions within Iranian territory. For years, Israel has maintained a strategic silence regarding its covert operations, which have included assassinations and acts of sabotage against Iranian targets. The strike also represents one of the few occasions a foreign air force has launched an assault within Iran since the country’s protracted war with Iraq during the 1980s.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the immediate aftermath did not witness any overt threats of retaliation from Iran, offering a glimmer of hope that the two formidable military powers in the Middle East might avoid a spiraling conflict. Ellie Geranmayeh, an expert on Iran at the European Council on Foreign Relations, remarked, “The years of shadow war have fully transitioned into open conflict — albeit a managed conflict, for now.” She further noted that Tehran appears willing to endure these strikes against its military facilities without responding in a manner that would provoke further Israeli actions.
In the lead-up to the strike, the United States had exerted considerable pressure on Israel to limit the scope of its military response. Consequently, Israel opted against targeting sensitive nuclear enrichment sites and crucial oil production facilities in its retaliation for the extensive barrage of ballistic missiles that Iran launched at Israel earlier this month. Instead, Israeli fighter jets concentrated their efforts on approximately 20 military installations, which included:
- Air defense batteries
- Radar stations
- Missile production sites
This strategic choice reflects a calculated approach by Israel to mitigate the risk of further escalation while still demonstrating its military capabilities in the face of Iranian aggression.
