no harm – Time

Israel’s overnight attack on Iran involved the Isfahan missile base inside Iran. It is the response to last week’s launch of missiles and drones by Tehran once morest Israel, in retaliation for the raid on the Iranian diplomatic headquarters in Damascus. An attack, the one that took place around 4.30 in the morning on Friday 19 April, which seems targeted and to some extent “symbolic” with only three drones involved. The airstrike was intended to signal to Iran that Israel has the capability to strike inside the country, an Israeli official said, quoted by the Washington Post, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A strategy that also divides within the Jewish state. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the Israeli attack on Iran on ‘X’ using a term that can be translated as “weak”, “lame”. That is, to indicate that the Israeli reaction to Iran’s launch of missiles and drones was limited.

Several observers note that this aspect should be read as a step towards de-escalation: Israel has shown resolve by striking in Iranian territory, without however overreaching. But it should be underlined that the taboo of direct and mutual attack between Tehran and Tel Aviv has now fallen. After hours of tension, Iranian general Siavosh Mihandoost, speaking on state TV, said that the attack caused “no damage” in the Isfahan area. An Israeli source, quoted by the Arab media, explained that last night’s action was a demonstration once morest the Iranian regime.

Meanwhile, the international atomic energy agency IAEA “can confirm that there is no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites”, the agency writes on that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. The IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely.”