Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend displayed nothing less than Iran’s strategic and military incompetence. They have tipped their empty hand, and have shown the world that they have little military might. The United States should never again cede to their demands, nor should we allow their bully tactics to dictate our foreign policy in the Middle East.
On Saturday, Iran escalated the conflict in the region with a large drone attack against Israel. The drone assault was supplemented by ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. According to early reports, Iran launched at least 170 drones and 150 missiles toward Israel. The Israeli missile defense system intercepted the vast majority of incoming missiles, and most of Iran’s bomb-carrying drones were shot down before leaving Iranian airspace.
Over the course of the four-hour-long assault, the Iron Dome air defense system intercepted over 99% of the incoming weapons. Some ordnance did manage to land in Israel, causing minimal damage with few casualties.
The attack came in the wake of a missile strike on Iran’s embassy in Syria that has been attributed to Israel. The strike killed several Iranians, including two of the country’s top generals.
This is the first time that Iran has launched a direct military assault on the nation of Israel, giving the world its first glimpse of Iran's true military power. While the dust is still settling, one thing is clear: Iran's military capabilities have been overstated. For decades, the United States has caved to pressure from Iran and its allies to lift sanctions against the country. President Obama sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Iran to appease their government, while unfreezing $150 Billion in Iranian assets. President Biden followed with another $6 Billion. This undoubtedly emboldened the Iranians, who have grown used to weak US Presidents handing them whatever they want.
Moving forward, the world should recognize that Iran expended a significant portion of its available weaponry, with little effect. They will certainly attempt to spin this as a show of strength, and try to gain the upper hand in regional negotiations. The United States should not bow to their demands in future negotiations. We have seen the worst that they can do to our allies, and we know that our allies in the region will be able to contain their aggression.
Iran’s threats should be taken seriously, but their military capabilities should be considered for what they are: weak and easily countered. The next administration should act accordingly, keeping an America-First agenda that does not bow down to the will of a feeble and vindictive Iran.