Israel's Iran Airstrike: Was This a Calculated Risk or a Reckless Gamble?

Some evidence suggests that this time Israel struck Iran with a missile launched from Syrian airspace, but Iranian leaders do not seem to believe that the attack was sufficiently different as to require a response that would risk open war. In a bold and calculated manoeuvre, Israel has launched targeted airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked infrastructure, igniting fears of a wider regional conflict that could reverberate far beyond the Middle East. Israel’s wide-ranging attack on Iran would not have happened without tacit US knowledge and approval. But what began as a preemptive strike, as Israel called it, could soon devolve into a. Analysis: Israel ’ s strikes on Iran avoided nuclear or oil facilities, targeting military sites instead. But are they a prelude to a more serious assault? For more insight into Israel's attack on Iran and what the strikes mean for the region, here is more from Parsi and Danon. The following interviews have been edited for length and clarity. Israel ’ s attack on Iran has exposed critical weaknesses in Tehran’s broader military strategy. While Iran still has untapped shorter-range capabilities it could deploy in its immediate neighbourhood, its depleted medium-range missile arsenal and weakened regional allies leave it with limited options for retaliation against Israel. On June 13 , Israel launched a large-scale military attack deep into Iranian territory, striking what it claimed were nuclear and military targets. Official Israeli statements framed the operation as a necessary preemptive measure to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. With greater freedom to fly over Iran , Israel bombarded key nuclear sites and killed top generals and scientists. By the time Iran mustered a response hours later, its ability to retaliate — already weakened by past Israeli strikes — was greatly diminished. Israel retaliated for Iran ' s missile and drone attack nearly three weeks later by attacking targets in Iran ' s central Isfahan region. US officials confirmed the Israeli attack, though.