Israel early last Friday morning attacked Iran with a retaliatory strike, as explosions were reported near a military base in Isfahan.
The Tasnim news agency reported that nuclear sites in the province of Isfahan are “absolutely safe,” denying foreign media reports about an incident at a nuclear site in Isfahan. ABC News reported, citing a US official, that Israel delivered a missile strike on a “facility in Iran.”
The Israeli attack fell on the 85th birthday (according to the secular calendar) of Iran’s supreme leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei. L’havdil, the attack also fell on the 122nd birthday (according to the Hebrew calendar) of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, z”l, who would have been delighted with the news of the attack, but probably wonder why so little and so late.
The attacking side in Iran managed to achieve higher damage than the one caused in the Iranian attack, with one tenth of the armaments. Now Iran realizes that if indeed Israel carried out the attack, it can attack nuclear facilities next time with relative ease. In addition, the move paves the way for military action in Rafah.
The Israeli attack on Iran could have been more destructive than what was delivered. Israel’s intention was to signal to Iran that Israel has full ability to – and will – defend itself and can paralyze Iran’s defenses. Did Iran get the message? We wait to see. Israel must remain vigilant in the coming weeks, especially with the Passover holiday upon us.