Iran Prepares Response to Israeli Attack on Military Bases

Israeli soldier points to an Iranian ballistic missile that hit Israel on Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

On Oct. 26, Israeli missiles struck military bases in three Iranian provinces. To further prevent Iraq and Syria from intercepting the attacks, Israel’s missiles also targeted their air defense systems. Four Iranian soldiers were killed in midst of the strikes.

Just three weeks earlier, Iran had sent around 180 missiles into Israel in response to multiple Hezbollah and Hammas leaders killed by Israeli forces. These strikes targeted Israel’s military capabilities, but the majority of missiles were intercepted prior to making contact. No Israeli civilians were killed in these attacks. 

Following these strikes, Iranian diplomat Sayyid Abbas Araghchi suggested that “the Zionist regime (Israel) not to test the resolution of the Islamic Republic. If any attack against our country takes place, our response will be more powerful.”

Despite these warnings, Israel swiftly declared,“‘Whoever attacks us, we will attack them,”’ leaving no room to doubt whether there would be a retaliatory response. 

Iran claims most of the missiles were intercepted, ultimately undermining the severity of the attack. However, it is confirmed that Israel successfully damaged major air defense systems and energy sectors. While this could make Iran particularly vulnerable to future attacks, Sina Azodi, a professor at George Washington University, explained that Iran’s dismissive attitude toward the damage is an attempt to maintain regional power and credibility.

Despite Iran promising a strong response to future strikes, Israel nonetheless likely retaliated as a means of demonstrating – not only to Iran but to the world – that they will not let the attacks go unnoticed, even at the risk of causing further escalation. 

Following the Oct. 26 retaliatory strikes, Israel claimed to cease further strikes if Iran were to not respond. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, General Ali Fadavi, responded by stating, “Iran’s response to the Zionist aggression is definite.”

Iranian protestors burn a painted Israeli flag in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Following Fadavi’s assertion was one similar from the head of the Office of the Supreme Leader, Gholamhossein Mohammadi Golpayegani; there would be “a fierce, tooth-breaking response” from Iran. 

A former Israeli intelligence official shared that there is a “high possibility” that Iran would utilize Iraqi militia groups to carry out an attack on Israel. These strikes are predicted to take place shortly prior to or after the US presidential election and target strategic military capabilities. 

If Israel were to pass a cease-fire resolution in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, Iran’s military stated it would be willing to bypass future retaliatory initiatives. 

While Israel prepares for an imminent retaliation from Iran, it is surveilling Iran’s oil and nuclear facilities as they are concerned about Tehran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Targeting nuclear plants sends a threatening message to Iranian leadership that Israel will not let Iranian strikes be swept under the rug. 

Simultaneously, potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear capabilities would signal that adversarial forces are willing to deter Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a long-time aspiration for Iran’s military. 

Despite both states claiming they do not intend to declare a full-scale war, these frequent military exchanges insinuates that they may already be heading in that direction.