Israel and Iran: The Escalation

Even Israelis hardened by years of taking cover in underground bunkers at the sound incoming rocket attack sirens have to be surprised at how many Iranian missiles have landed in Tel Aviv and other cities. But one imagines that surprise pales in comparison to the shock Iranians must feel witnessing how quickly their hardline leaders, who have spent years issuing threats and funding terror in the region, have allowed Israel to achieve complete air dominance and eliminate many of the country’s top military leaders and much of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s inner circle. How this plays out in the near term and what it means for the region and the world in the long term are still open questions. For now, there are reports that Tehran might be looking for a way to press for a ceasefire. Here’s the latest from NBC, The Guardian, and Times of Israel.

+ “Israel had spent months smuggling in parts for hundreds of quadcopter drones rigged with explosives—in suitcases, trucks and shipping containers—as well as munitions that could be fired from unmanned platforms, people familiar with the operation said. Small teams armed with the equipment set up near Iran’s air-defense emplacements and missile launch sites, the people said. When Israel’s attack began, some of the teams took out air defenses, while others hit missile launchers as they rolled out of their shelters and set up to fire.” WSJ (Gift Article): How Israel’s Mossad Smuggled Drone Parts to Attack Iran From Within.

+ Meanwhile, one the first leaders Trump spoke to about the ongoing conflict was our great ally and renown peace negotiator, Vladimir Putin (who wished the president a happy birthday! Yay!) The call and follow on comments led to this headline: Macron rejects Trump’s idea for Putin to mediate between Israel and Iran.