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Israel Launches Largest Strike Ever Against Iran

BY Guy D. McCardle

As Israel’s missiles lit up the skies over Tehran, it’s clear this fight won’t simmer down anytime soon—no matter what the President hopes.

An Israeli Air Force pilot prepares for a strike against Iran. Image Credit: Israel Defense Forces

Israel rained Hell down upon Iran last night in its most significant series of airstrikes ever against the rogue nation. The attacks mark a significant and aggressive escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. They come as retaliation against an attack early this month from Tehran. 

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According to Iranian state-run media, four military members were killed in attacks. They did not immediately vow retaliatory measures.

 

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted facilities associated with Iran’s missile production and command-and-control infrastructure in multiple locations, including areas near Tehran and key western provinces. These strikes reportedly aimed to diminish Iran’s missile-launch capabilities and disrupt its military logistics, particularly in response to recent ballistic missile attacks allegedly linked to Iran’s regional allies, like Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militias operating in Syria and Iraq.

The Israeli airstrikes are part of an intensified strategy to contain what Israeli intelligence perceives as a growing threat from Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”—an alliance of Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, that have frequently launched attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in recent weeks. For example, Hezbollah recently conducted multiple rocket attacks against northern Israel, impacting areas near Haifa and the Golan Heights. In response, Israeli forces ramped up their countermeasures, carrying out airstrikes that hit Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and alleged Iranian installations in Syria and Iraq.

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Iran has, thus far, downplayed the extent of the damage but acknowledged the attacks, with officials indicating that further escalation may follow if Israel continues its offensive. This development also comes amid heightened warnings from U.S. officials, who have communicated concern that Israel’s actions could provoke broader regional instability. The U.S. reportedly advised Israel against expanding its strikes into nuclear sites in Iran, hoping to contain the conflict within non-nuclear parameters.

This ties in perfectly with a story SOFREP ran on October 8th: US Reportedly in Talks To Give Compensation to Israel if They Only Hit “Acceptable” Targets in Iran.  In it, I write about how the Jerusalem Post and other Israeli news outlets were saying Israel was being guided by the United States to avoid all nuclear facilities and oil refineries. “Compensation” would be offered if Israel agreed to the terms. Well, Israel did avoid all nuclear facilities and oil refineries last night, and two weeks ago, President Biden directed the deployment of a THAAD Battery to Israel along with about 100 US troops to operate it. That’s billions of dollars worth of equipment and over 100 American souls right there.

I’d say the proof is in the political pudding. I’ll also say that had Israel damaged a number of Iranian oil-producing facilities and raised the global price of crude oil, it would mark the end to any hopes of Kamala Harris living in the White House for the next four years. American politics has determined Israeli military targeting, and that’s not right.

 

President Biden spoke with reporters Saturday, saying specifically,

“It looks like they didn’t hit anything other than military targets. My hope is this is the end.” 

He acknowledged that he was given advanced notice of the strikes, but noted he didn’t have a hand in the planning.

The current geopolitical climate remains tense as Israel continues its operations across Lebanon, Syria, and Iranian military sites, raising concerns about a potential spillover into a more extensive conflict. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that Iran may consider a direct response through its proxies rather than a full-scale confrontation, likely attempting to leverage regional allies to sustain pressure on Israel without risking full retaliation.

I’m sorry Mr. President, but I do not believe this is the end.

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