On October 26, 2024, Israel targeted Iran’s important locations during an unsuccessful air strike. Iran’s defence system succeeded in neutralising these attacks. It surprised the political and military elites and experts in Israel and the West. This was while Israel relied on and emphasised its advanced military technologies and successful air strikes in the region. But the question arises: how did Iran’s defence system surprise Israeli experts?
This event has highlighted Israel’s miscalculations about Iran’s defence system and prompted a reevaluation of Iran’s military power against external threats. In this article, we will explore the details of this incident and examine how Iran leveraged its defensive strengths. This approach challenged experts’ misperceptions and presented a new regional security narrative. It also created an unexpected image of Iran’s military readiness.
Airstrikes on Iran: A counter to operation True Promise 2
After Iran’s Operation True Promise 2, Israeli missiles targeted several points in Iran. This action was a response to previous events. Israel claims it targeted about 20 locations in Iran. These strikes occurred during three waves of airstrikes called Operation Days of Response (Hebrew: מבצע ימי תשובה). Israel, which faced unexpected results in this attack, is trying to inflate its strike. However, many analysts believe this attack is not to the extent of Operation True Promise 2. An operation in which, according to Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran fired hundreds of missiles against Israel. “Iran has proved it can breach the world’s greatest air defence system. What comes next could be devastating.” Jotam Confino wrote in the British newspaper Telegraph.
Failed predictions: Israel’s technology vs Iran’s defence
In this strike, Israel used airspace controlled by the United States in Iraq. This area is located one hundred kilometres from Iran’s borders. Israel fired several long-range air-based missiles. These missiles have very light warheads, about one-fifth the size of Iranian ballistic missile warheads. Israel launched it in the direction of some border radars in Ilam, Khuzestan, and surrounding Tehran provinces. Israel relied on its advanced technology for this operation. It is expected not to face a severe challenge from Iran’s defence system. Israel aimed even to exploit any possible weaknesses in that system. But what happened was the opposite of the predictions.
How did Iran’s defence system surprise Israeli experts?
But what is more critical in Israel’s recent attack on Iran is how Iran’s defence system surprised Israeli experts. Before this attack, Israeli experts believed they could disrupt the Iranian defence system. They thought this would prepare Iran’s sky for their missiles. However, contrary to their expectations, Iran neutralised the attack’s effectiveness. It used advanced radar and air defence systems effectively. Iran’s quick, accurate, and well-timed actions contributed to this success. Its defence system tracked and intercepted a significant number of missiles. This prevented Israeli planes from entering Iran’s airspace.
Sanctions to strength
After the 1979 revolution and the war with Iraq, although many countries sanctioned the Islamic Republic of Iran, it has strengthened its defence and military capabilities in the shadow of international sanctions and pressure. It has also tried to prevent possible threats in the region in the near or far future by developing its defence system and military technology.
Iran’s defence surprised Israel: New tactics unveiled
Iran has advanced in localising its technology and uses new defence strategies. It is trying to maintain its security and increase regional stability. It employs combined military approaches, including preventive attacks and intelligent defence. Additionally, Iran is building long-range and effective missile systems. Iran has used efficient defence forces and practical strategies to prevent possible threats. These strategies can be part of the answer to how Iran’s defence system surprised Israeli experts.
Experts question Israel’s failed attack on Iran
Israeli experts who have not accepted Israel’s disgraceful failure in this attack have claimed that an unknown defence system was responsible for the failure of Israel’s attack on Iran. Alastair Crooke, former British diplomat and MI6 officer, claimed: “The Israeli planes, which intended to neutralise the air defence systems with long-range missiles in the initial phase, did not even come within 70-100 kilometres of the Iranian border,” Crooke stated. “Another missile defence system has detected them, which led them to abort the mission and launch their long-range missiles from a distance.” This incident raises questions about how Iran’s defence system surprised Israeli experts, highlighting the complexities of modern aerial warfare and missile defence strategies.
Israel’s miscalculation of Iran
Members of the international community are questioning how Iran’s defence system surprised Israeli experts. The Iranian people’s reaction indicates they mock Israel’s inability to confront their defence system. However, at a gathering of families of four troopers killed in a recent attack, Ayatollah Khamenei addressed the situation. He stated that Israel’s recent attack should neither be exaggerated nor belittled. Iran’s supreme leader also emphasised that Israel’s miscalculation regarding Iran should be corrected. Based on this, the defence competition in the region is expected to escalate. Both countries will likely face increased tensions as a result.
Israeli analysts: Iran’s defense system Poses a regional challenge
While Israel and its experts are stunned by the unexpected result of their attack, they are reconsidering their military plans. They are likely thinking about fundamental changes in their strategies. Israeli analysts believe Iran’s defence capabilities pose a significant challenge to regional stability and security. In an article published by “The Jerusalem Post,” retired senior Israeli general Itzhak Brik advised military authorities to avoid the frenzy of recent airstrikes on Iran. He emphasised that Iran is not an opponent the Israeli army can easily confront with such strikes.
What will be Iran’s next move after Israel’s strike?
With all these interpretations, Iran’s defence system has succeeded. It has surprised many Israeli experts. Many countries, including Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and China, considered Israel’s attack on Iran blatant aggression. They viewed it as a violation of international law. These countries asked Iran and Israel to end tensions in the region. However, Israel’s violation of Iran’s airspace will not go unanswered. How did Iran’s defence system surprise Israeli experts? It will likely surprise the international community again.
