Experts have estimated that the financial impact of Israel’s defensive measures against Iran’s recent missile and drone attack is substantial, over a staggering $1 billion. This calculation takes into consideration the costs incurred in intercepting just fifty per cent of the total number of drones and missiles launched by Iran during the assault.
“It cost Israel more than $1bn to activate its defence systems that intercepted Iran’s massive drone and missile attack overnight, according to a former financial adviser to Israel’s military.
“The defense tonight was on the order of 4-5bn shekels [$1-1.3bn] per night,” estimated Brigadier General Reem Aminoach in an interview with Ynet news.”
In the aftermath of discovering that Iran wasn’t targeting populations or active military bases and defense stations, the question of how long it will take for the Israeli military to regain its readiness to pre-strike levels is of paramount importance.
Israel’s war cabinet will meet today at 2:00 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) to discuss its response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Saturday night
Following an extensive hours-long cabinet meeting that concluded on Sunday night, a decision on the response strategy was not reached. The cabinet members are resolute in their determination to take action; however, the specifics regarding the timing and scope of the response are still pending finalization.
Benny Gantz, the war cabinet minister of Israel, has made a strong statement regarding the country’s stance towards Iran. He emphasized that Israel is prepared to take action and “exact a price” from Iran at a time and in a manner that aligns with their strategic interests.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that the country is not seeking war following Iran’s attack, emphasizing the need for balance in this situation. An Israeli official informed the US that they are not aiming to significantly escalate the confrontation with Iran, according to a senior Biden administration official.
Remember that earlier this month, following an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed several military commanders, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used his Eid al-Fitr sermon to equate Israel’s attack on the diplomatic facility to an attack on Iranian soil. He vowed that Israel’s “mistake” would not go unpunished.
Is it surprising that Iran chose to attack Israeli territory on its own on Saturday night? Officials and analysts had expected a measured retaliation. An attack on any embassy is an act of war.
Iran provided Israel and its allies with advance notice before the assault, emphasizing their lack of intention to incite a war. Following the attack, Iran’s UN mission declared the issue resolved.
Reportedly, Joe Biden cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against an Israeli counterattack on Iran, with American officials expressing concerns that Netanyahu may aim to involve the US in a broader conflict.
If Israel starts a war, are Americans obliged to fight it? The same question could be asked about Ukraine.
Khamenei assumed leadership of Iran shortly after the Iran-Iraq war. Preserving Iran’s stability is critical to his legacy and the advancement of the Islamic revolution, particularly as some Iranians feel insecure due to perceived leadership behavior.
In response to Iran’s actions, Khamenei is striving to maintain peace while calling for a military response. Can a leader remain idle when their embassy is under attack?
Nonetheless, the audacious nature of the attack significantly added to its spectacular and intimidating impact. It is worth noting that this bold move marked a major victory in terms of media coverage for Iran, showcasing its capability on an international stage.
The IRGC commander, Hossein Salami, praised the attack for establishing a “new equation,” indicating that Israel can no longer target Iranian individuals, assets, or interests without facing retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant declared, “The campaign is not over yet.” Israel views the conflict with Iran as a chance to regain international support, which was severely eroded by its controversial conduct in Gaza. However, it remains uncertain whether the United States will assist Israel in its counterstrike.
Israel is reportedly seeking to garner support by potentially instigating a conflict and involving American forces in the midst of it. While American policy guarantees Israel’s security, it should not, cannot cover Israel when it is leveraging American lives by acting as a threat to regional security.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that the conflict in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Gaza, has resulted in severe humanitarian crises. The ongoing military actions have led to devastating consequences for Gaza’s civilian population, including widespread destruction, food scarcity leading to starvation, and a ruthless strategy of rendering the land uninhabitable through destructive tactics.
Today, the American electorate no longer comprehends the national security interests at stake in the Middle East and increasingly opines that firm commitments should come with rigid conditions. Notably, a majority of American voters now disapprove of Israeli military actions in Gaza.
This observation could shed light on the strategic decision-making process behind Iran’s recent choice to launch a deliberate and carefully planned attack against Israel. The attack didn’t directly strengthen Iranian deterrence but did reveal a notable hesitation by the United States to intervene.
This implies that even though the results may not be immediate or straightforward, the long-term effects and implications could still have a lasting influence on the regional landscape.
President Biden’s recent statement underscores the unwavering commitment of the United States to stand by Israel in its efforts to defend its territorial integrity. The assurance of US support serves as a strong message that Israel possesses the necessary capabilities to safeguard its borders effectively.
However, there is a subtle warning in Biden’s words that if Israel persists in taking aggressive actions, it might find itself isolated on the international stage. This crucial point could potentially influence and temper Israel’s strategic decisions in the near term.
Israel’s vow to “exact a price” from Iran may be Israel signaling the American people that this “price” is something they must be willing to pay.
