Videos went viral on Iranian social media, showing Israeli missiles being intercepted as they entered Tehran’s air defense battery. Following a nine-month skirmish between Israel and Iran in the region, the Israeli Air Force executed a three-wave operation against military installations in Tehran, Ilam, and Khuzestan provinces. Operation Day of Repentance aimed to destroy key military targets contributing to Iran’s defensive and o ensive capabilities.
According to CNN, IDF and military analysts, UAV factories, missile production lines, and air defense batteries were destroyed, decreasing Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities for at least a year. Iran’s state media, Tabnak also confirmed that military targets were hit and four Iranian military personnel were reportedly killed during this operation.
According to Axios, Israel informed Iran about the attack a few hours before the operation was initiated, warning Iran against possible retaliation. U.S. offcials also confirmed that they were briefed about the operation in advance but chose not to participate.
Jerusalem Post reported that 100 aircraft traveling 2,000 kilometers from Nevatim Air Base were included in this attack. Key sites targeted included advanced S-300 air defense units at Imam Khomeini International Airport, designated to shield the capital against potential assaults, as well as the destruction of 12 planetary mixers essential for producing solid-fuel missiles. An assessment by the U.S. stated that the attack caused significant damage to Iran’s capability to produce ballistic missiles. The strikes also included a wave of drone attacks against Parchin military base in Tehran province, based on reports from the BBC. AP news shared satellite imagery taken also showcases the level of damage done to Iran’s military bases tied to its nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.
Despite foreign claims about the significance of the attack, footage from within Iran in the days following the assault showed citizens continuing their normal lives, with some even ridiculing the lack of effectiveness of the strikes. Footage from the Israeli war cabinet also included pictures of Israel’s defense minister staring at an old picture of a building caught in fire in Tehran, furthering the rumors surrounding the insignificance of the strike.
NPR stated that Iran’s Supreme leader threatened Israel with a “crushing response” to the Israeli attack. According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that Iran has “no limits” when it comes to defending itself, deepening concerns about possible Iranian retaliation. Thus, this has worsened the existing chaotic crisis in the Middle East and put an end to potential peace solutions for the war in Gaza. Despite U.S. denial of any participation, Iran’s U.N. mission stated that Israel used U.S. air bases in Iraq to conduct its operation. Arab Muslim countries condemned the attack and showed concerns about its dangerous consequences; other countries such as France, Russia, and Germany urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any action that would lead to future violence. Reuters also stated that the U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said that “Israel has the right to defend itself.” The United Nations Secretary- General also said that he was “deeply alarmed” by the escalating situation in the region.
Written by Mohammad Amin
