In a meticulously planned “Days of Repentance” operation, Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iranian military facilities early Saturday, focusing on disrupting Iran’s missile production capabilities while minimizing casualties. According to a source who spoke to The Washington Post, Israel’s approach aimed to balance effective impact with restraint, allowing Iran some capacity to downplay the extent of the damage and potentially avert escalation. This strike, reportedly broader in scale than a similar response in April, has left Tehran grappling with the implications for its missile industry and national security.
The attack focused on strategic facilities across Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam, with Israel specifically targeting surface-to-surface missile production sites. Israeli sources described the intelligence used as exceptionally precise, allowing their air force to hit high-value targets with accuracy down to a “16-digit” grid reference. The Israeli intelligence community reportedly saw the operation as a preventative move, designed to limit Iran’s capacity to manufacture ballistic missiles in the foreseeable future.
Iran’s immediate response has been relatively subdued. Despite admitting that two soldiers were killed, the Iranian government initially claimed the attack caused only “minimal damage,” stating that the country’s air defense systems had intercepted most of the strikes. The Iranian news network, Noor News, which has ties to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that Iran’s official stance is to respond “without haste.” However, Sky News Arabia indicated that through a third party, Iran communicated to Israel that it would refrain from immediate retaliation.
Iranian state media also downplayed the event, showcasing images of normal activity in cities across the country, including Mahrabad International Airport in Tehran. Meanwhile, some Iranian networks aired videos mocking Israel’s strike, comparing it unfavorably to previous Iranian actions against Israel. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Araf issued a brief social media statement, asserting that Iran’s “strength humiliates the enemies of the homeland.”
In response, Israeli officials dismissed Tehran’s portrayal of the strike, alleging that Iran’s claims of successful interceptions are “a complete failure” and insisted that the damage was substantial. Israeli sources emphasized that their intelligence-led targeting had severely impacted Iran’s surface-to-surface missile production capabilities, likening the damage to the shutdown of a major missile production line.
The U.S. has also stepped into the fray, warning Iran of “consequences” should it choose to retaliate. Washington has reiterated its commitment to supporting Israel and has reportedly prepared a list of Iranian targets that could be hit if Tehran pursues further escalation.
Adding to Iran’s challenges, Israeli forces reportedly neutralized air defense systems in Syria and Iraq before the strike, clearing a path for Israeli jets to operate in Iranian airspace with minimal resistance. This move has underscored Israel’s message: it now holds the capacity to strike again should Iran decide to retaliate.
Main article photo: F-35 arrives in Israel after being purchased from Lockheed Martin (photo credit: LOCKHEED MARTIN)
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