Israel’s targeted response against Iran sends new warnings to the regime about the IDF’s capabilities, experts say

In the largest operation ever performed in IranIsrael carried out a strategic airstrike on October 26, marking a significant escalation of the conflict between the two countries. The airstrikes targeted critical military infrastructure and represented both a symbolic and tactical blow to Iran’s strategic capabilities.

“We showed them that we could reach any point in Iran. We neutralized the air defenses and flew over them, hitting exactly what we wanted without detection,” Ram Ben-Barak, former deputy director of Mossad, told Fox News Digital.

In the early hours of Saturday morning (Israeli time), Israeli air force fighter jets pounded 20 targets across Iran in the operation’s chosen name, ‘Days of Repentance’. After approximately four hours, all aircraft returned safely to Israel, marking the successful completion of the operation. The Air Force embarked on a complex mission involving dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, intelligence, refueling and rescue units. The attacks were carried out at a range of just under 1,000 miles.

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATION ATTACKS AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING A MISSILE REPORT TARGETING ISRAELS

Israeli air force planes take off on Saturday for strikes in Iran. (IDF Spokespersons Unit)

The operation unfolded in three waves: an initial attack on Iranian air defense systems, followed by targeted attacks by more than a hundred aircraft on missile and drone bases and weapons production sites.

Ben-Barak, now an opposition member of Yesh Atid in the Israeli parliament, also noted Israel’s technological and operational superiority, contrasting this attack with Iran’s previous attacks on Israeli territory, many of which were intercepted or missed their target.

However, Iranian officials downplayed the impact, claiming only “limited damage” was caused to military sites. But according to Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, head of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University, “There was an additional element of wisdom in this strike; we did not humiliate the Iranians. Tehran was open as usual on Saturday, just hours after the attack, as no civilian areas were affected.”

Iranian air defenses were reportedly active when Israel began attacking Iranian targets in Tehran, Iran. (Obtained by Fox News)

A former Israeli senior security official, who asked for their name to be withheld due to security concerns, told Fox News Digital: “There was a strategic thinking behind the targeted locations: a drone production facility was hit, along with a missile factory, SA-300 air defense systems and planetary mixers that Iran is likely to purchase from China to produce solid fuel for rockets. Although not all Iranian air defense systems were downed, three or four SA-300 batteries were hit. Their air defenses were therefore severely affected. although Iran probably has one S-400 system from Russia and even more, simpler air defense systems that they have built themselves.

IT WAS ‘WORSE’ FOR ISRAEL NOT TO STITCH IRANIAN OIL AND NUCLEAR FACILITIES, SAYS FORMER USS COLE COMMANDER

A satellite image shows the Shahroud Missile Test site reportedly hit by Israel during its attack on Iran this weekend. (INTELLITIMES)

While Israel focused exclusively on military and intelligence locations, satellite images and independent analyzes reveal extensive damage to Iranian installations, especially missile and drone production centers.

According to Israeli intelligence analyst Ronen Solomon, additional strikes targeted storage and assembly points in Khojir, near Tehran, a location long linked to Iranian missile development. Solomon told Fox News Digital that Israel “neutralized parts of Iran’s missile production pipeline,” cutting off access to vital components for future production.

Additional attacks took place near Parchin, where Israeli intelligence has long suspected nuclear tests. “Israel did not strike Iran’s nuclear facilities direct but focused on the infrastructure that supports it,” Solomon noted, explaining that this approach allowed Israel to bypass political barriers while dealing a major blow to Iran’s military operations.

An Israeli Army pilot in her plane as part of the “Days of Repentance” mission against Iran. (IDF Spokespersons Unit)

Solomon added that Israel’s attack affected Iran’s satellite-launching capabilities, a key part of Iran’s military satellite program. He said: “In addition to the impact on their missile program, their ability to launch satellites for military purposes was also damaged.”

THE US WAS ADVISED DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ISRAEL’S STRIKE ON IRAN; IDF SAYS MISSION COMPLETE

While Israel acted independently, coordination with Washington played an important role in shaping the scope of the mission. Gilad underlined the extensive diplomatic communication between Israel and the US before the attack. “There was impressive coordination, even though the US did not participate in the attack itself,” Gilad noted.

According to a former senior intelligence official, this cooperation included the establishment of air corridors over Iraqi airspace.

Gilad noted that “the US F-35 jets involved represent fifth-generation capabilities that add an essential layer of defense against Iran. The US has shown exceptional supportincluding sending THAAD defense batteries. The US-Israel alliance is critical, and I say it is not ironclad; it is lined with steel, because steel does not rust.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducts a security assessment at the air force headquarters at Tel Aviv’s Kirya base, along with the defense minister, chief of staff, head of Mossad and head of Shin Bet. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)

Both countries shared the objective of limiting Iran’s options for retaliation, especially in light of the upcoming US elections. The former senior intelligence official noted: “The Americans were concerned about directly hitting nuclear or energy sites, and we respected that.”

Gilad added that the selective targeting of the attack reflected a well-calculated restraint: “Some in Israel criticized the lack of direct hits on oil or nuclear facilities,” Gilad said, “but targeting such sites could destabilize global markets , could strengthen Russia or lead to attacks. about Arab states.”

ISRAEL’S ‘DAYS OF CONVERSION’ STRIKES AGAINST IRAN WILL CONTINUE AS TERROR REGIME RESPONDS, IDF WARNS

The former senior intelligence official added that Iran, aware of the political stakes in Washington, could refrain from an immediate response to avoid escalating tensions that could sway the elections in favor of former President Donald Trump, who views Iran as a considers a threat.

In a public statement, Chief of General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi affirmed: “Our message is very, very clear… ‘any threat, anywhere, at any time, we will know how to reach it, we will know how we must strike.’ Halevi emphasized that Israel has only deployed some of its capabilities, suggesting further measures could be taken if Iran escalates.

This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows damaged buildings at the Iranian Parchin military base outside Tehran, Iran, Sunday, October 27, 2024. An Israeli attack on Iran damaged facilities at a secret military base southeast of the Iranian capital that are experts in The past has been linked to Tehran’s former nuclear weapons program and on another basis to its ballistic missile program, according to satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press on Sunday. The damaged structures are located in the lower right and center of the image. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Despite the tactical success, Israeli officials remain cautious about the operation’s long-term effects. Ben-Barak noted: “Ultimately, Iran has learned that Israel can strike at will within its borders, but the challenge continues to deter them obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran wants to eliminate Israel; we cannot let them have nuclear weapons. That is also American policy. I always say to my American counterparts, ‘You have nothing to fear from the Iranians.’ We must work together to eliminate the threat.”

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Gilad concluded: “With the US committed to preventing a nuclear Iran, these strikes should give Iran pause. Still, post-election political coordination with the US will be critical to maintaining pressure.”