A.M.M.Muzammil
COLOMBO : Iran launched its first direct aerial attack called “Operation True Promise” on Israeli territory by deploying a barrage of over 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory. This operation was executed in the early hours of Sunday morning as a direct response to the Israeli strike on April 1st that targeted an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. The Israeli strike resulted in the unfortunate loss of seven Iranian military advisers, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander within the Quds Force, Iran’s elite paramilitary unit.
Unlike the aggressive actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which often result in harm to innocent civilians, the Iranian aerial attack specifically targeted military and intelligence installations. Remarkably, this operation resulted in zero fatalities and only one casualty, underscoring Iran’s commitment to upholding the moral values of humanity.
Iran strategically deployed a series of low-cost yet highly effective drones against Israel. These drones served as decoys, effectively disrupting Israel’s Iron Dome multi-tiered missile defense system. The Iron Dome, renowned as the world’s most advanced missile defense system, is an expensive asset for Israel.
Each interceptor deployed by the Iron Dome carries a production cost ranging between $40,000 and $50,000. Iran’s use of these cost-effective drones not only posed a significant tactical challenge but also inflicted financial strain on Israel due to the high cost of countering the drone attacks. This innovative approach by Iran underlines the evolving nature of modern warfare, where inexpensive technologies can be used to counteract sophisticated defense systems
Simultaneously, in coordination with the drone cover, Iran launched a combination of cruise and ballistic missiles. Despite the Nevatim and Ramon air bases being safeguarded by the world’s most advanced integrated anti-missile defense system, a remarkable 7 to 10 Iranian missiles managed to strike both bases with pinpoint accuracy. This demonstration of Iranian military capability and technological prowess highlights the effectiveness of their strategic planning and the potency of their missile technology.
Iran has been the victim of Israel’s covert operations against it for several years. Israel has committed numerous acts of sabotage inside Iran and has carried out campaigns involving sabotage and cyber-attacks on Iran’s nuclear fuel enrichment facilities. Since 2007, Israeli agents have assassinated five Iranian nuclear scientists, including the top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who is considered the father of Iran’s nuclear program. Fakhrizadeh was killed in a sophisticated operation led by a Mossad team, which reportedly deployed a computerized machine gun.
Over the years, Iran has consistently demonstrated resilience and tolerance in the face of various challenges. However, Israel’s recent actions have crossed a critical threshold. The deployment of their F-35 fighter jet to conduct a lethal strike on an Iranian consulate constitutes a grave
violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates the inviolability of diplomatic agents and premise
Iran’s retaliation against Israel on April 13th was largely symbolic in nature. Iran employed older versions of drones and ballistic missiles, opting not to utilize more advanced systems such as the lethal ‘kamikaze’ drones or the latest Shahed -238 having a maximum speed of nearly 400 mph. Additionally, Iran refrained from deploying its newly developed, potent cruise and ballistic missiles like the Talaeieh and Nasir. Most notably, Iran chose not to employ its formidable Fattah-2 hypersonic missile. Developed in Iran, the Fattah-2 hypersonic cruise missile boasts a range exceeding 1,400 km and can achieve speeds of up to Mach 5.
Had Iran employed the aforementioned advanced arsenals, the scale of death and destruction would have reached unimaginable proportions. Furthermore, Iran demonstrated restraint by targeting only specified locations, abstaining from attacking Israel’s populated cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa.
Article 51 of the UN Charter acknowledges the inherent right to self-defense in the event of an armed attack by one State against another State. Consequently, Iran possesses a legitimate right to retaliate against Israeli aggression, which led to the devastation of the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the loss of Iranian lives on foreign soil.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations categorically stated that the matter can be deemed concluded. If Israel retaliated with force against Iran, the volatile region would turn into a war zone with serious consequences.
Iran is no Gaza. Iran is 1.6 million sq km whereas Israel is 20,000 sq km and Iran is more than 80 times bigger than Israel. As the Global Firepower Index annual ranking system placed Iran at 14th, above rivals Israel which is in 18th position.
Iran has the capability and range to strike further targets across the entire Middle East. Iran’s missile arsenal is the largest and most diverse in the Middle East. Iran possesses over 3,000 ballistic missiles. This does not include the country’s burgeoning land-attack cruise missile force and advanced drones. Most importantly, Iran has a hypersonic missile that could reach Israel in seven minutes.
Iran’s antiaircraft system is bolstered with Russia’s S-300 and Russia’s S-400, which military analysts assess to be capable of detecting and destroying stealth fighter jets flown by Israel. Thus Iran is a far greater military power and has greater capabilities than Isreal
If the situation escalates further, Iran may take the strategic decision to close the vitally important Strait of Hormuz. Utilizing mines, drones, and fast attack craft, Iran could effectively choke off nearly a quarter of the world’s oil supplies. Additionally, its loyal ally, the Yemeni Houthis, could escalate their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, further complicating maritime security in the region.
In conclusion, there is a pithy Sinhala saying: “Illange Kewa”. This saying eloquently captures the essence of the situation that has befallen Israel.
With all due respect, allow me to paraphrase the parting words of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who orchestrated the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Israel has awakened a sleeping giant—Iran, and filled it with formidable resolve.”
