Iran's recent attacks on Israel on April 13, involving 300 missiles and drones in what was described as the first ever direct attack, have been widely interpreted as being more symbolic than materially destructive. Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, characterized the attacks as a "slow-moving, thoroughly telegraphed, and ultimately unsuccessful retaliation," according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Experts suggest that the attacks were designed to minimize casualties and maximize spectacle, with the drones and missiles being intercepted by Israel's multilayered air defense system, aided by regional and US support. Despite the significant scale of the attack, there were no reported deaths or major damages, indicating that the strikes were intended more as a message or demonstration rather than an effort to inflict substantial harm. This perspective is further supported by the attacks being well-telegraphed in advance, with minimal involvement by proxies and ample warning allowing for air defenses and fighter jets to intercept effectively.
"The well-telegraphed and relatively limited nature of Iran’s attack suggests it was calibrated to be a contained retaliation for Israel's bombing of its embassy in Damascus and is not intended to be escalatory, consistent with public statements made by Iranian officials" - GS
NEW | The Iranian April 13 missile-drone attack on Israel was very likely intended to cause significant damage below the threshold that would trigger a massive Israeli response. The attack was designed to succeed, not to fail. 🧵(1/9) https://t.co/EDFMFzw5M4
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱 Iran’s attack seemed planned to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle I agree with this statement, it was more to send a message. Not actually do damage. https://t.co/XKJrVH1Hlh
Iran’s attack seemed planned to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle - CNN https://t.co/byi5LY7qlY
lran’s attacks on Israel seemed more concerned about symbolism than military destruction - there were minimal involvement by proxies and ample warning for air defenses and fighter jets to intercept the drones and missiles 1/
Iran's attack on Israel was highly choreographed, apparently designed to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle. My take, with comment from @tparsi: https://t.co/9cS6ss9WUZ
Iran designed its retaliation on Israel to cause: 1. Max symbolism: - 300 missiles & drones - 1st ever direct attack - Sirens sounding alarm in Israel 2. Min damage: - Attack well-telegraphed - Reported days in advance - No deaths, no major damages https://t.co/CdhSMWzQiY
Iran’s strike on Israel was predictably limited in impact and was ultimately a tactical failure in that drones & missiles failed to hit their intended targets after being intercepted by a multilayered Israeli air defense in addition to regional and US assistance. However, the…
Iran's attacks on Israel appear to have been performative, said Michael Singh, fmr sr director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council. This was "a slow-moving, thoroughly telegraphed, and ultimately unsuccessful retaliation" - WSJ Translation: one giant theater
Iran's attacks on Israel appear to have been performative, says Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. This was "a slow-moving, thoroughly telegraphed, and ultimately unsuccessful retaliation," he said. - WSJ