Israel’s attack on Iran is a major win for the West — and a major setback for the Iranian regime, as well as for Russia and China.
Israel’s retaliatory attack on Iran’s missile facilities and air defenses on Saturday is a major win for the West — and a major setback for the Iranian regime, as well as for Russia and China, which back it.
Though Iran officially minimized the impact of the attack, it severely damaged Iran’s ability to threaten its neighbors, and left it virtually defenseless in future. It also boosted a pro-Western alliance against the “Axis of Resistance” propped up by Moscow and Beijing.
Here are some of the major achievements and consequences of the attack.
1. Israel demonstrated that it can conduct long-range attacks on Iran. For many years, critics and skeptics doubted whether Israel could mount the kind of long-range attack necessary to strike Iran, with midair refueling and flight paths over hostile territory. Israel first demonstrated that it had that capacity when it struck back at the Houthis in July, and did so again on Saturday, when it attacked in three separate waves, and with female crew on some flights.
2. Iran’s air defenses are a complete failure. Iran relies on an aging air force, with planes and parts dating back to the era of the Shah before 1979. It also depends on Russian-made defense systems, including the S-300 and S-400. Israel attacked and destroyed these systems without trouble, according to reports. Moreover, it targeted air defenses around strategic sites, including energy facilities. Israel — and the U.S. — will have total freedom in Iranian airspace.
3. Iran will not be able to replenish its ballistic missiles. After the second Iranian missile attack on Israel on October 1, it became clear that any Israeli response would have to make sure Iran could not launch a third, given that Israel’s air defenses only stopped about 85% of the incoming projectiles.
