Iran walks back threat of 'immediate' response after Israeli attack

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran in a development that pushes the region closer to all-out conflict

A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on April 19, 2024, after Israeli air strikes.
AFP
A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on April 19, 2024, after Israeli air strikes.

Iran walks back threat of 'immediate' response after Israeli attack

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, a US official told CNN, in a development that pushes the region closer to all-out conflict. After reports of explosions were reported in Iran, Israel had said it had "no comment".

According to reports from Iranian semi-official FARS news, multiple explosions were heard near a military base in Isfahan province where fighter jets are located. It added that Iranian air defences were activated in several provinces.

Hours before the attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that if Israel took any further military action against Iran, it would respond immediately and at a "maximum level".

However, after the attack, Iran said it has no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Friday.

Israel had for days been weighing its response to Iran's unprecedented weekend strikes, most of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies in the West. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described it as a “slap” in the face of Israel despite it not doing serious damage or inflicting any casualties.

The weapons, launched from Iran, crossed Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. We now know that the timing of the attack was leaked, giving Israel’s air defences time to get ready. This prevented heavy losses and the severe retaliation that could have followed with US support.

The impact of the ‘Night of the Drones’ was always likely to be more political than military. This was, after all, Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.

The nuanced messaging was directed mainly at an international audience—Washington, in particular.

Tehran’s justification for the action was unambiguous: it was retaliation for Israel’s bombing of the consulate, killing several senior commanders of the country’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

AFP
The ruins of Iran's consulate in Damascus, which was destroyed in an Israeli bombing on 1 April 2024.

Read more: Two Israeli air strikes and two Syrian mothers and sons

Calibrated action

The mission’s aims were framed around altering the terms of negotiation over the future of the people of Gaza after the war concludes, the so-called ‘day after’.

Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Baqeri called the drone and missile strikes “a warning”. However, this term led to confusion since warnings usually precede a state's military action rather than follow it.

In New York, meanwhile, Iran's UN representative Amir Saeid Iravani commented while the drone attack was still in progress, saying Iran now considered its retaliation to have ended and that the matter was "closed".

The premature timing of this declaration was taken as a sign that Iran was concerned about retaliation from Israel and the United States, prompting a wider regional war.

After 7 October, Israelis feel wounded and vulnerable. They last faced a concerted attack from the air by a regional state actor in 1991, when Saddam Hussein fired 42 Scud missiles at Tel Aviv and Haifa.

The impact of Iran's attack on Israel was always likely to be more political than military. It was a nuanced message directed mainly at Washington.

Any sustained repeat would amount to a significant escalation and risk a broader conflict centred on Israel, which has fought off existential threats since its establishment in 1948.

Israel's response

Israel is known for its precision in military operations and was expected to respond to Iran's attack via what are known as 'qualitative intelligence' operations.

This could involve targeting IRGC bases in Syria and Iraq or strikes on Hezbollah bases in Lebanon. The controversial assassination of a Lebanese Forces party leader recently sparked accusations against Syria and Hezbollah, destabilising Lebanon's fragile peace.

Israel is likely to continue targeting IRGC leaders outside Iran. Hitting critical Iranian infrastructure inside Iran, including nuclear sites, was thought to be a less likely option, but the overnight strikes proved otherwise.

Amman reiterated its commitment to neutrality and refusal to become a battleground for conflicts despite Iran's media war aimed at stirring tension in Jordan.

Iran's effective media war

In the meantime, Iran has effectively shaped the regional perception of events through its media.

Its management of Arab public opinion has been skilful, with disinformation campaigns that amplify regional security concerns. It also tried to stir tension in Jordan with leaked messages.

Read more: Jordan faces multiple and serious security risks

These were met with a decisive and firm response from Amman, whose airspace had been breached by the Iranian drones. A high-ranking source in Amman said Jordan was committed to neutrality and refused to become a battleground for conflicts.

They also highlighted Jordan's focus on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, noting that ongoing military actions there were major contributors to regional instability.

Reuters
The sky over the Jordanian capital, Amman, is lit up by burning Iranian drones and missiles that have been intercepted before reaching Israel.

Jordan is trying to pre-empt any potential escalation into a wider regional war by refusing to take sides or be drawn in. Instead, it sees a clear opportunity to establish a serious, irreversible path towards a two-state solution.

For Amman, the focus is on a just settlement that enables the Palestinian people to establish a viable state and emphasises the need to keep attention on Gaza's ongoing issues.

Positioning for peace

Iran also looks to be preparing for any future region-wide peace talks, distancing its military response from the Hamas attacks of 7 October while putting Gaza at the top of the agenda.

State-directed Iranian media has been shaping public opinion domestically while seeking to extend its influence across Arab platforms.

The objective is to enhance Tehran's perceived strengths as it presses for victory for Palestinians. This could be used to stir unrest in various Arab capitals.

The Middle East needs a clear regional framework for genuine settlements that guarantee security for all, but the most recent exchange of attacks paints a bleak picture for the future.

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