By: Tahseen Ullah Tasir
The recent escalation between Iran and Israel has shaken the political and military landscape of the Middle East. Iran — long considered a weakened state due to years of international sanctions, technological isolation, and economic crises — is now launching relentless attacks on Israel, one of the most advanced military powers in the world. Following an Israeli act of aggression on June 13, Tehran responded forcefully. Iranian missile and drone attacks not only outmaneuvered Israel’s defense systems but also struck major cities including Tel Aviv, where buildings were reduced to rubble, dozens were killed, and hundreds injured.
Behind this unexpected military success lies years of covert planning and strategic warfare. Although Iran does not have direct access to cutting-edge Western technology, it has cleverly utilized Russian, Chinese, and locally developed defense systems to build a missile and drone network capable of deceiving Israel’s multilayered defense infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed they created technical disruptions within the Israeli defense network, causing it to misidentify and target its own units. According to them, these attacks were made possible through advanced intelligence and indigenous technology, cracking Israel’s so-called “invincible” defensive wall.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that one of the Iranian missiles directly struck the window of his residence, signaling that the attacks were not just military but also carried symbolic and political messages. Israel has acknowledged the destruction of one-third of Iran’s ground-to-ground missile launchers; however, this has had little effect on Iran’s military capacity, as attacks continue with increasing intensity. The Israeli Defense Minister has issued a threat to Tehran’s citizens, suggesting that the conflict may further escalate.
Iran’s military strength can also be gauged by its long-term study of Israeli air force capabilities and defense strategies, particularly in operations carried out in allied nations like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Drawing from these experiences, Iran has significantly upgraded its drones, ballistic missiles, and defense systems. It has adapted foreign technologies, including the Russian S-300 system, to local conditions and created a defense web capable of anticipating enemy movements in advance.
This is no longer just a war between Iran and Israel; it has become a proxy war among global powers. The U.S. and European nations are discussing tougher sanctions against Iran, while Iran is sending a clear message that it will no longer bow to international pressure. Iran’s ongoing missile barrage, Israel’s aggressive countermeasures, and the hostile rhetoric from both sides suggest that the Middle East is heading toward a crisis that could prove catastrophic for the entire region. This war has also demonstrated that so-called “weaker” nations, when equipped with resolve, strategy, and innovation, can force even major powers to bend the knee.
Also read: Iran’s double crisis: defeats in war and diplomacy
