Iran’s missile attack against Israel on Tuesday was intended to signal that Tehran’s arsenal is capable of inflicting mass casualties, according to Middle East experts. The attack was seen as a demonstration of Iran's ability to cause significant damage if necessary.
Unlike a previous attack in April, which was more of a display of capabilities and was largely thwarted, Tuesday's barrage aimed to showcase Iran's accuracy and ability to bypass Israeli air defenses. The response was described as measured and focused on sending a message rather than causing mass casualties.
Some experts believe that Iran's April attack was intentionally ineffective to avoid escalation, but Iran perceived it as a sign of weakness. The recent attack was viewed as a way to challenge Israeli and American air defenses and demonstrate that Israel could face serious consequences.
However, not all experts agree on the motives behind Iran's actions. A senior fellow at a Washington-based think tank suggested that the attacks were a response to recent assassinations of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. While the attacks did not result in mass casualties, they were seen as a way for Iran to assert itself in the region.
Despite the lack of significant damage, the expert noted that the desire for retaliation might have been present. The effectiveness of the attacks was also attributed to Israel's defense systems and support from the US and other regional allies.
