Israel’s war cabinet has used a familiar phrase to describe its next steps against Iran. The phrase “in the manner and at the time of our choosing” has been reiterated as tensions escalate between the two nations.
After the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, opposition leader Benny Gantz emphasized the unity of Israel and its western allies in the face of the threat posed by Iran. Gantz highlighted the strategic achievement of aligning Israel and the world against Iran for the sake of Israel’s security.
The recent escalation began when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, resulting in the death of a senior general and his aides. This decision was not coordinated with the Americans, signaling a bold move by Israel in targeting high-ranking Iranian military officers.
Iran’s response to the attack was swift and direct, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issuing unequivocal statements. The subsequent Iranian attack on Israel was initiated with drones and missiles launched from Iranian territory, but was largely intercepted by Israel’s robust air defense systems, supported by the US, UK, and Jordan.
In the aftermath of the attack, President Joe Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to providing “ironclad” security for Israel, urging restraint from Israel in retaliation. The message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was clear: avoid escalating the situation further by conducting military strikes on Iranian soil.
Iran, on the other hand, signaled a desire to de-escalate the crisis, indicating that further escalation would only occur in response to additional attacks. The Iranians seem inclined to cool tensions that have been building for the past two weeks following the Israeli strike on their diplomatic compound.
Despite the significant military buildup in the region, the situation did not spiral into a full-scale conflict, with Iran choosing not to unleash its full arsenal of weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu may find solace in the fact that the focus has shifted from the Gaza crisis to the broader regional security concerns.
As the international community seeks to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East, diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further. The G7 countries will play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of an all-out war in the region.
By heeding President Biden’s advice and refraining from immediate retaliation, Israel has the opportunity to de-escalate the situation and prevent a catastrophic conflict in the Middle East. However, the resolution of the current crisis remains uncertain, as lingering tensions and potential provocations could reignite hostilities.
