Israel launched an attack on Iran early Saturday, targeting missile and air defense sites in coordination with Washington. The assault was more restrained than anticipated, which could aid diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages and limit ongoing combat scenarios in Lebanon and Gaza.
Israel delayed the operation until after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Washington following four days of discussions with Israeli and Arab allies. In a series of nighttime air sorties, Israeli warplanes flew over potentially hostile territories such as Syria and Iraq. They refueled mid-flight and targeted military locations across three provinces, retaliating against Iran for firing ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1.
Israel released videos showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military officials coordinating from a defense ministry bunker, which marked a rare public acknowledgment of an attack against the Islamic Republic. This action expanded what had previously been a mostly shadow conflict.
In compliance with a request from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, Israel avoided targeting oil, nuclear, and civilian infrastructure sites. The Biden administration is leading efforts to resolve crises stemming from the devastating attack on Israel a year prior by Iran’s proxy, Hamas, in Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant maintained close communication with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin throughout the process.
Iranian authorities downplayed Israel’s strike, with Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref posting on his X account about Iran’s power humiliating its enemies. Iran’s state television featured interviews with citizens going about their daily routines, and the official Tasnim news agency simply stated Iran’s right to respond.
Israeli representatives portrayed the operation as a demonstration of their extensive knowledge of Iran’s military outposts, their capacity to launch strikes anywhere in the country, and a message to the government in Tehran. Amos Yadlin, a former leader of Israel’s military intelligence, explained on Channel 12 that the objective was to showcase Israel’s capabilities.
Conducted under the codename “Days of Penitence,” the operation referenced a recent period in the Jewish calendar, implying a call for reflection and new resolutions among allies and adversaries alike.
While Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli assault as a breach of Iranian sovereignty, Israeli officials suspected that Riyadh was comfortable with the measured response.
Political leaders within Israel expressed criticism, viewing the operation as a missed opportunity to make a more significant strategic impact, citing perceived indecisiveness. However, others highlighted Netanyahu’s aggressive measures against Lebanon’s Hezbollah, noting their effect on restoring Israel’s deterrence, which had been weakened by the October 7 Hamas attack that resulted in numerous casualties and kidnappings.
In response, Israel has deployed forces to southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s leadership and its missile infrastructure. Predictions warned that an Israeli attack on Iran could prompt Hezbollah to launch thousands of missiles at Israeli cities, but to date, only a limited number have been fired. With Hamas severely weakened, its threat has been greatly diminished. According to Hamas officials, the conflict has claimed the lives of approximately 42,000 Gazans, but these figures do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.
Efforts led by the United States and other international powers aim to stabilize Lebanon by supporting its military and political institutions, pushing Hezbollah away from Israel’s border, and resolving the issue of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. This framework also envisions rebuilding and governing Gaza without Hamas’ involvement.
Israel’s calculated response on Saturday might expedite these initiatives, potentially involving nations such as the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states in Gaza’s reconstruction, given a potential ceasefire agreement. The situation is unlikely to see significant developments until after the U.S. presidential election on November 5, with Israel’s future actions potentially influenced by whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris emerges victorious.