Iran recently revealed the extent of its missile arsenal during an attack on Israel, but it is clear that the regime cannot engage in a direct air war with Israel. This was demonstrated by Israel’s measured response to the attack, which exposed military vulnerabilities.
The Israeli armed forces responded with a limited air strike using medium-range Blue Sparrow missiles, typically used for training purposes to test anti-aircraft systems. These missiles allowed Israel to target Iranian air force bases and nuclear facilities deep within the country. The attack was carried out from rocket launch modules near Iraqi towns, indicating that Israel did not launch the attack from its own territory.
Israel used F-35 fighter jets to execute the attack swiftly and evade Iranian air defenses. The successful strike hit an anti-aircraft system at the Shekari air base, which is located near the Natanz nuclear facility. This facility had previously been targeted by Israeli sabotage.
Despite Iran’s efforts to modernize its air defense systems, Israel’s precision attack exposed weaknesses in Iranian defense capabilities. While Iran possesses a significant number of air defense systems, the exchange of blows with Israel highlighted the challenges Iran faces in defending against advanced weaponry. The ongoing shadow war between Iran and Israel underscores the reluctance of both sides to engage in a full-scale conflict.
In conclusion, while Iran has a formidable missile arsenal, it cannot engage in a direct air war with Israel due to its military vulnerabilities. The Israeli armed forces were able to execute a successful strike using medium-range Blue Sparrow missiles and F-35 fighter jets, exposing weaknesses in Iranian defense capabilities. The ongoing shadow war between these two nations highlights their reluctance to engage in a full-scale conflict and their focus on maintaining their strategic interests through covert means.