Israel Tense as ‘Destiny’ Makes Appearance
Israel’s air strike on Beirut leads to retaliatory attack by Iran
The recent air strike by Israel on Beirut, which resulted in the destruction of six buildings, led to the tragic deaths of many individuals, including prominent figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilfurushan, a commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operations unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In response to the attack, Tehran retaliated on October 1 by launching over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, in an act of vengeance for the lives lost. While the Israeli army acknowledged that some bases were hit, the United States, Israel’s main ally, dismissed the Iranian attack as ‘ineffective and defeated’.
However, satellite images revealed significant damage inflicted on Israeli territory, including damage at Nevatim Air Base, which houses Israel’s F-35 planes. Decker Eveleth from the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) reported that there were 32 separate impact points on the base, with some being dangerously close to the F-35 hangar.
Furthermore, damage was also observed in Tel Aviv, where a missile caused a nine-meter-deep crater near the headquarters of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad.
In a surprising turn of events, the USA decided to send one of its only seven Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries to Israel, along with 100 soldiers to operate the missile defense systems. This deployment signifies a heightened level of US involvement in the growing regional conflict, with the cost of the batteries amounting to nearly 1 billion dollars.
The decision to deploy the THAAD system raises questions about Israel’s air defense capabilities and the possibility of a more severe attack on Iran in the future. It highlights the need for US defense support in a volatile environment where conflict is escalating.
As tensions continue to rise, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakchi embarked on a Middle East tour, visiting Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq before planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf countries, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. Erakchi’s aim is to strengthen diplomatic ties and address issues of genocide, oppression, and aggression in the region.
In response to the escalating conflict, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned Israeli aggression and emphasized the need for international support to combat the threats posed by Israel. Fidan’s meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Eymen Safedi underscored the importance of taking decisive actions against Israeli incursions and violations of international law.
With tensions mounting and the threat of further hostilities looming, the visits of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan carry significant weight. The messages conveyed from these capitals could shape the future dynamics of the region and potentially influence the outcome of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
