Israel’s recent military actions have raised concerns about the potential for widespread conflict globally.
Following the events in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran in the Middle East have also been subjected to Israeli attacks, purportedly targeting extremist and terrorist groups. However, human rights organisations have accused Israel of conducting these attacks without adherence to humanitarian principles.
Initial observations suggest that tens of thousands of innocent civilians have been impacted, and there are reports in the international media of numerous children losing their lives as a result of the violence.
Is Israel a “Cancer? “
In the current context, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly denounced Israel as a “cancer”.
It is widely known that the spiritual leader has consistently advocated for the eradication of Israel, emphasising that it “must be rooted out and destroyed without a doubt.
” The opposition to Israel has not only become a central tenet of the current Iranian state ideology but also a significant aspect of its foreign policy.
Despite the amicable relations between the two countries prior to the Islamic revolution of 1979, their association has since deteriorated into enmity.
It is noteworthy that Israel is situated more than 2100 km away from Iran, and geographically, Iran is larger than Israel. Furthermore, Iran is home to approximately 90 million people.
Iran’s military force is not large relative to its population, while Israel boasts one of the most advanced air forces globally. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reports that Israel’s air force includes a fleet of 14 jets, comprising the F-15, F-16, and the latest F-35 jets.
In response to a deadly attack on its consulate in Damascus, Iran launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Israel last April. The attack, carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, targeted specific locations.
On April 1, the Iranian consulate in Syria was targeted in an attack that resulted in the tragic deaths of seven military officers, including a high-ranking official. Following the assault, Iran retaliated by launching a series of large-scale attacks against Israel.
Despite Iran’s efforts, Israel’s defence was able to intercept and thwart the drone and missile attacks using the Iron Dome and Arrow systems, which are integral components of Israel’s defence mechanism.
However, Iran intensified its aggression by conducting a second, more severe attack on Israel on the 1st, which they ominously named “True Promise.”
Iran has 3000 ballistic missiles
In 2022, General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of the US Central Command, reported that Iran is believed to possess approximately 3000 ballistic missiles.
It has also come to light that Iran employed these same ballistic missiles in a subsequent attack. The Prime Minister of Israel confirmed that 181 ballistic missiles were directed at his country.
Although there were no casualties in this assault, Israel sustained significant property damage. After the missile strike in the previous year, Major General Mohammad Bakheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, stated that “the time for patience and calmness is over.”
He explicitly indicated that his targets were limited to Israeli military and intelligence bases, clarifying that Israel’s economic and industrial centers were not the intended objectives.
Hezbollah unleashed a wave of attacks on Israel in retaliation for the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, a prominent figure who enjoyed a close relationship with Iran.
Nasrallah was widely regarded as one of the most influential and powerful Lebanese leaders with strong ties to Iran. In the wake of his death, Iran could not afford to overlook the loss of its ally.
Consequently, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphatically declared that Iran would exact revenge on Israel in response to Nasrallah’s assassination.
Attack with pictures
Major General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, ordered a ballistic missile attack on Israel. It is reported that he planned an attack involving 200 ballistic missiles. Before launching the attack, he appeared in front of a large banner.
On the night of January 1st, the Iranian media broadcasted these scenes. The large banner behind Salami featured photos of three individuals: Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas; Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah; and Kurdish Force commander General Abbas Nilforoushan.
All three of them were killed by Israeli attacks. Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran last July.
Haniyeh was killed in a military safe house in Tehran, which was a significant blow to Iran. This incident indicated the strength of Mossad spies. However, it is evident that the recent attack by Iran has caused Israel to panic.
Iran scared Israel in 12 minutes
The Iranian military utilised its own hypersonic missiles in the recent attack, which reached Israel in just 12 minutes. Iran claimed to have successfully targeted three Israeli air force bases and the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence agency.
In contrast, during the previous April attack, the drone strikes from Iran took nine hours to reach Israel, but this time, it only took a few minutes. The Israeli army initiated its invasion of Lebanon on October 1st, and on the same night, Iran’s attack struck Israel.
Following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Lebanon emerged as the primary haven for Palestinian refugees, including militant factions like the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
These militants carried out attacks on Israel from within Lebanese territory, sparking ongoing conflicts between the two nations.
In direct response to the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s seizure of a passenger bus and the tragic killing of 38 Israeli civilians in the violence, Israel launched its first invasion of Lebanon in 1978.
The power of Hezbollah
In 2006, a 34-day war erupted, culminating in a ceasefire. The conflict resulted in approximately 1191 deaths in Lebanon, predominantly civilians. The Israeli side suffered losses of 121 soldiers and 44 civilians.
Following the 2006 invasion, Israel has since gained strategic advantages, particularly through the targeted elimination of high-ranking Hezbollah leaders.
However, the prospect of a ground war presents a challenge, considering Hezbollah’s formidable military capabilities compared to Hamas. Currently, Hezbollah stands as Israel’s most formidable adversary.
Notably, British military expert Justin Crump has raised concerns about potential unforeseen developments if the conflict persists.
The American Central Intelligence Agency has issued warnings regarding Hezbollah’s substantial arsenal, estimated at about 150,000 shells and missiles of varied types and ranges.
Additionally, Hezbollah is believed to possess 45000 fighters, while Hamas claims to command a force of 100,000 fighters.
Premonitions of a nuclear explosion
The Israel-Iran conflict poses a significant risk of sparking a nuclear war in the Middle East, which is considered one of the most perilous situations.
While the US has urged restraint and refrained from targeting Iran’s nuclear power plants, Israel’s former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has taken a different stance, advocating for the targeting and attacking of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The potential consequences of such actions are difficult to fathom and anticipate, making the situation incredibly alarming.
