“Ready to strike with Sukoi Su-24s”. The scenarios – Time

The Iranian Air Force is absolutely ready to respond to the possible attack by Israel and awaits the command of the Supreme Leader to strike the targets, in particular with the Sukoi Su-24, supersonic tactical bombers with variable geometry wings of Soviet manufacture. According to what Iran reports, this was said by the commander of the Iranian Air Force, General Hamid Vahedi, who during the military parade for Armed Forces Day assured that not only supersonic tactical bombers, manufactured Russian, but also other fighters. Vahedi then told “the enemies”, referring to Tel Aviv, to “be careful not to make mistakes, since these mistakes might result in irreparable damage on the part of the Iranian armed forces”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, promised that there will be a response to the Iranian attack and assured that there is already a date for the ground operation in Rafah once morest Hamas, but according to analysts it will not be able to achieve both objectives at the same time. Both are under pressure from the United States, which has called for moderation to avoid further regional escalation and a civilian bloodbath in the extreme south of the Strip. The Israeli army, already fighting Hamas in Gaza and Iranian-backed groups elsewhere in the region, cannot sustain an active front with Iran as well, analysts have stressed. “Israel will not be able to carry out an offensive in Rafah and a retaliation once morest Iran at the same time. A decision will have to be made,” said Michael Horowitz, director of the security consultancy Le Beck International.