
<p>Several international observers expressed surprise that the Israeli response to the attack on the Jewish state by Iran was rather tepid. ; It seems to be in line with President Biden’s demand that the attack should not include nuclear or energy production sites. ; Though directed at military and industrial targets, only two individuals were reported to have been killed.  ;That may not be an accurate number since the folks in Tehran traditionally play down any attacks on their country as ineffective.</p>



<p>That is not to say that the attack was merely a symbolic tit-for-tat. ; Israel showed that it can reach anywhere in Iran it so chooses. ; It showed that the Irani defense system is inadequate – and that Israeli jet fighters can reach targets deep in Iran and return home safely.</p>



<p>Israel&#8217;s weapons destroyed several buildings at Parchin Military Base – a location indirectly associated with Iran’s nuclear program. They also caused significant damage to Khojir Military Base, where solid fuel is produced for ballistic missiles. Israel also attacked drone manufacturing facilities – which could limit the shipment of drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.</p>



<p>According to international assessments, the Israeli attacks did significant damage to Iran’s war production and weapons inventory – and degraded its ability to attack Israel in the near future. ; Israel has exposed the “lion of the Middle East” as a “paper tiger” – just as it disproved prevailing beliefs that Hezbollah was too formidable for Israel to take on.</p>



<p>Regardless, the leaders in Tehran have promised to retaliate for the attack on Iran. ; But by limiting the scope of its retaliatory attack, Israel has put Iran in a box. ; World leaders on both sides are advising the leaders in Iran to cool it. ; However, it is likely that Iran will retaliate at some time in the future – but not likely in the immediate future. ;</p>



<p>By engaging in a tit-for-tat with Iran, Israel can – and will – focus now on taking out Iran’s proxies in the region – specifically Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. ; They can now do so with greater vigor, knowing that Iran’s ability to support its proxies is greatly diminished. ; In both a strategic and tactical sense, Israel’s attack on Iran was more successful – directly and indirectly – than it may appear on the surface. ; ; At the end of this round, Israel clearly has Iran staggering – and will likely come back for the knockout in a later round. ; Stay tuned.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Israel responds to Iran – modestly?
