Iran Minimizes Impact of Israeli Strikes, Claims ‘Limited Damage’ Sustained

DUBAI/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Oct 26 – Trying to downplay the new wave of airstrikes Israel has conducted against Iranian military targets, Iran Saturday tried to play down the severity of the strikes that “caused minor damage” according to Iranian officials. The move was a direct response to a wave of three separate waves of air attacks Israel launched targeting facilities related to missile manufacturing and radar sites both near the capital Tehran and in western parts of the country. According to military sources, this was a retaliatory move by Israel after Iran had conducted a ballistic missile attack targeting Israel last week.

The escalation of tension in the region has heightened the concerns of various stakeholders to such an extent that U.S. President Joe Biden called for restraint in order to avoid any conflict that is on the verge of happening. The latest airstrikes launched in this connection are all viewed as a direct attack in response to the release of about 200 ballistic missiles by Iran targeting Israel on October 1. In response to the Israeli aerial attacks, which had dominated the international headlines, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reacted strongly against the attack and termed the act as a blatant violation of its sovereignty. However, in a balanced and measured response, the ministry added that the nation has no intention of disrupting stability in the region as this crisis unfolds.

Iran’s military forces claim that Israeli fighter jets dropped “very light warheads” to attack radar installations in the provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan and near Tehran. “Enemy planes were prevented from entering the country’s airspace. and the attack caused limited damage,” a statement issued by Iran’s joint military staff said, hinting that their defense mechanisms could somewhat reduce the possible devastating consequences of the aerial strike.

The Israeli military have claimed assertions that they targeted attacks on construction and facilities related to the production of missile manufacturing plants and air defense systems. Forces are said to have successfully returned after completion of their mission. Based on reportings, assault further targeted the specific location of Parchin and Khojir, which is said to develop missiles for Iran. Sites claiming to develop ballistic missiles suffered much damage based on research scientists analyzing commercial satellite imagery.

MESSAGE TO IRAN
Beni Sabti, an Iranian expert from Tel Aviv’s Institute for National Security Studies, said the Israeli raid seemed to be intended so that Tehran would have grounds not to escalate the battle.

Escalating Regional Concerns

Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached a boiling point lately, especially after the October 7 attack on Israel. The attack was carried out by Hamas, a notorious militant group funded by Iran. Escalating hostilities are followed by an escalating conflict in Lebanon as Israel has been working with vigor to disrupt any form of Hezbollah attack known to be an Iran ally. In a defiant show of strength, Hezbollah issued threats to northern Israeli civilians regarding the imminence of attacks on their territory. The situation was worsened as Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut and Syria.

Although the United States government continues to urge the de-escalation of tensions within the area, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin explicitly cautioned Iran against retaliating and urged the country to take advantage of diplomatic channels so as to effect the easing of tensions all around the area. This statement is also pertaining to the airstrikes carried out by Israel, wherein the country’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the airstrike was absolutely within its security priorities and had absolutely nothing to do with American pressures or considerations.

In the light of an already fragile situation in the region, Israel has done something rather significant by easing part of the public safety restriction which had been placed across all of its northern areas before. This lets the world know that perhaps Israel is not expecting Iran to be making a military or political response to the strikes which have recently happened. Several Arab nations, among which Saudi Arabia and Jordan who have taken it quite up for themselves to seek relations that are improved with both Iran and Israel, have publicly condemned recent strikes. They described military actions as clear violations of Iranian sovereignty, thus outlining their disgust for the rise in conflict.

During their sojourn in Doha city, the bickering sides have agreed to revert back into their diplomatic efforts of working to solve the series of complicated conflicts that keep rising like the current difficult complex one of Gaza. The diplomatic efforts will encompass the negotiators continuing their work of reaching an agreement on a possible truce and possibly a likely hostage release agreement. They will form part of the endeavors that will soothe the newly increased tensions the Middle East is currently portraying.