Israel hits Iran as a show of force in a simmering conflict: analysts

WHAT IS THE IMPACT?

Experts also suggested that the Israeli attack was intended to demonstrate the country’s ability to retaliate against Iran with a complex operation using precise firepower.

“From Israel’s point of view, it’s a huge demonstration of capabilities,” said Sima Shine, an Iran specialist at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv.

“I think it’s the first time that a lot of planes flew to Iran, attacked Iran and returned safely.”

Joost Hiltermann, Middle East program director at the International Crisis Group, said Israel’s show of force has also made Iran more vulnerable.

“The importance of attacking Iran’s air defenses is that Iran would be largely undefended in a subsequent round,” he told AFP.

Danny Critinowicz, another Iran expert at the INSS, believes that Israel’s ability to carry out largely unhindered attacks stems from its successful efforts to weaken Hezbollah, Iran’s main ally in Lebanon.

“It was really Iran’s protective wall, and the fact that Hezbollah is quite weak in its war against Israel, I think, changes Israel’s calculus regarding direct attacks on Iran,” he said.

“This is a direct result of that.”