Tehran | 14 June 2025 – The Islamic Republic of Iran has forcefully responded to what it calls a “reckless and illegitimate” Israeli attack on its sovereign territory, launching a calibrated military operation that demonstrates its deterrent capabilities while avoiding escalation into full-scale war.
This conflict marks a dangerous turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics, but for Iran, the operation was not about war—it was about sovereignty, national honor, and sending a message that aggression will never go unanswered.
📰 Background: Israeli Strikes Ignite Regional Crisis
The current escalation began on 13 June, when Israeli fighter jets carried out a large-scale surprise attack on Iranian soil under the codename Operation Rising Lion. Key Iranian defense facilities and a nuclear research center in Isfahan were targeted, resulting in the deaths of several IRGC officials and scientific personnel. The Iranian government condemned the strikes as a blatant violation of international law and a provocation against peace in the region.
In response, Iran launched over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 Shahed and Karrar drones, targeting Israeli military installations in the Negev desert, Haifa naval command, and the Ramon airbase.
“We responded with precision, discipline, and legitimacy,” said Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani.
“This is not war-mongering; this is strategic defense.”
🇮🇷 Inside Iran: Unity, Defiance, and Resolve
The Iranian response has ignited a rare wave of national unity. Despite domestic economic challenges and political divisions, millions of Iranians poured into the streets in cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Tabriz to support the IRGC and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s firm stance.
State media broadcast images of citizens waving Iranian flags and holding posters of slain IRGC martyrs, chanting slogans such as “Death to Israel” and “Resistance until Victory.”
“This is not just a military response—this is our dignity. We stood silent for too long,” said university student Zahra Mokhtari in Tehran.
🛰️ Precision Without Provocation: Iran’s Strategic Military Doctrine
Military analysts have described Iran’s retaliation as a textbook example of asymmetrical deterrence. While Israel has relied on air dominance and Western technology, Iran’s strategy emphasized volume, saturation, and unpredictability—overwhelming Israeli missile defenses in certain sectors.
- Several missiles reportedly bypassed the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems, causing damage to Israeli air defense radars.
- Iran carefully avoided large-scale civilian targets, focusing solely on military assets to maintain moral and legal high ground.
- No direct strikes were launched against U.S. military bases, underlining Iran’s intention to limit the conflict to Israel.
🌍 Regional Impact: Iran Sends Message to Allies and Adversaries
Iran’s action resonated across the region:
- Hezbollah praised the strikes as “a turning point in the battle against Zionist aggression.”
- Houthis in Yemen and militias in Iraq offered logistical support to Iran’s wider deterrence network.
- Even Gulf neighbors such as Qatar and Kuwait called for de-escalation, warning that a broader war would destabilize energy routes and global supply chains.
Meanwhile, oil markets responded sharply. Brent crude surged above $100 per barrel, as traders feared further disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint Iran controls.
🧭 Strategic Objectives Achieved: Not Escalation, But Deterrence
Contrary to Western narratives, Iranian officials assert that their goal is not full-blown war, but rather the restoration of strategic deterrence. This calculated show of force demonstrated:
- Operational military capability to challenge Israel’s dominance.
- Regional influence through its allies and proxies.
- Resilience under economic and diplomatic pressure.
“The West misread Iran’s silence as weakness. Now they see it was strategic patience,” said Dr. Hossein Mousavian, former Iranian diplomat and security analyst.
💬 International Reactions: A Divided Global Response
- Russia and China have called for immediate restraint, emphasizing that Israeli provocations ignited the current conflict.
- The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session but failed to reach a consensus, as the U.S. backed Israel’s right to “self-defense,” while Iran’s allies emphasized sovereignty and proportionality.
- European nations expressed concern over the escalation but acknowledged Iran’s response came after “a serious provocation.”
🔮 What’s Next?
As the world holds its breath, the following scenarios are likely:
- Diplomatic push: Iran has signaled openness to mediation via Oman or Qatar.
- Cyber and proxy skirmishes: Covert operations may intensify without direct military confrontation.
- U.S. recalibration: Washington may reconsider its “blank check” military support to Israel, fearing a broader regional war.
Iran has reiterated its commitment to regional peace and security—but has made it unequivocally clear that any further aggression will meet “a harsher and more destructive response.”
