MADRID – In the early hours of Saturday, several explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Various local media reported that residents in the western part of the city heard these blasts. Iranian official sources indicated that military bases in the west and southwest of Tehran were targeted in an Israeli attack. Additionally, sounds related to air defense fire were reported. 

A well-informed source revealed that Iranian air defenses successfully intercepted most of the projectiles used by Israel, although limited damage was recorded in certain areas. These same sources confirmed that the Zionist regime carried out airstrikes on military sites in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam during the early hours of October 26. So far, four soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Jahandideh and Sergeant Shahrokhifar, have been identified as the casualties of the attack.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel had targeted military objectives in Iran. "In response to months of constant attacks from the Iranian regime against Israel, the Israeli army is now carrying out precise strikes against military targets in Iran," Hagari stated. 

However, the issue with this Israeli narrative lies in its attempt to obscure reality and present itself as a victim, characterizing its actions as "a response to months of constant attacks." This claim lacks basis when the situation is analyzed from a political perspective. It is essential to remember that Israel was responsible for initiating hostilities by bombing the Iranian consulate in Damascus, not to mention its genocidal campaign in Palestine and Lebanon.

The truth is that, regardless of the narrative Israel uses to justify its actions, neither the media nor Israeli politicians consider Saturday's attack a success, either militarily or politically. Channel 13, an Israeli media outlet, described the operation as "disappointing." Yoni Ben Menachem, an Israeli analyst, acknowledged on his social media that the Iranians were mocking the Israeli action, particularly after the government and military officials promised a "decisive response" following Iran's launch of Operation True Promise II. 

According to Al Mayadeen, Israeli media admitted that the attack was, in fact, a mere performance and failed to achieve any significant strategic objectives. Avigdor Liberman, leader of the "Israel Our Home" party and former Defense Minister, criticized Israel's "limited" attacks on Iran, warning that "the Iranians will not stop here." Liberman emphasized that the Israeli government, rather than facing the real consequences of the situation, seems to have settled once again for "a spectacle and public relations, opting to buy silence instead of making clear and firm decisions." 

From the perspective of deterrent capability, it is clear that Israel has failed to restore this capacity after being attacked with more than 200 Iranian missiles during Operation True Promise II. After weeks of grandiose promises of revenge, which included threats to Iran's nuclear and oil facilities, the Israeli attack is perceived more as a confession of weakness than as a demonstration of regional power.

Israel conveys an impression of total mercilessness towards the weak and defenseless, such as the children in Gaza, while exhibiting sober calculation and restraint in the face of those who can respond decisively, like Iran. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aptly noted, Israel “only respects strength.”

On the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly reiterated, both officially and through diplomatic channels, its readiness to respond to any Israeli aggression, reserving the right to do so. Several analysts suggest that Iran's defensive capability is such that it can determine the level of damage it inflicts on its enemy. If Iranian authorities decide to carry out more decisive attacks against Israel, their military capacity is prepared for it.

Analysts like Foad Izadi warn that the death of the four Iranian soldiers could make an Iranian military response against Israeli territory inevitable. While one of the shared strategic objectives between Israel and the United States is to weaken Iran by any means possible, this has not happened. The comparison between the scale of the two military operations—the one launched by Israel and Operation True Promise II—evidences this reality.

For now, all indications suggest that Israel has emerged weakened from this operation, as it has shown that it does not feel secure, despite the backing of the United States, for a direct and large-scale confrontation with Iran.