IRAN’S itch for a riposte to Israel’s recent strike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Syria culminated in a missile and drone strikes on its bitter rival thus escalating the tensions in the Middle-East and throwing the world into another dangerous situation. Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones towards Israel’s military sites but the strikes were largely neutralised as Israel, United States, Britain and Jordan, acted in self-defence and shot down the missiles. The strikes have made a minor impact on Israeli facilities but Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu’s resolve to respond to the attacks makes the situation totally fragile. The world is now looking at another military conflict which can have tremendous ramifications on every nation. Though Mr. Netanyahu called off retaliatory strikes on Iran after a phone call with US President Mr. Joe Biden, the Israeli War Cabinet’s maneuvers make it pretty clear that Tel Aviv is in no mood to calm down soon. The strikes by Iran were, in fact, expected after the Israeli attack on its Embassy complex in Damascus killed several of Iran’s top commanders. This was set to become a flash-point of the series of incidents where Israel and the US had direct connection either with attacks on Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) commanders or top scientists in neighbouring Iraq and other provinces. Tehran had been waiting for an opportunity to attack Israel after playing a shadow war for long.

 

The Gaza conflict provided Iran a chance to raise the stakes and wait for Israel’s miscalculation which came with the deadly strike in Syria. The strike by Iran did not target civilians which is a signal that it does not want to escalate the situation. The world is condemning Iran for flaring up tensions in the region with the attack but as Mr. Netanyahu has always propagated Israel’s “legitimate right to self-defence”, Tehran is using the same card. With the targeted strike Iran has also indicated that it would not like to strike further unless attacked.The focus is clearly on Israel now. Its Defence Minister Mr. Yoav Gallant has already said that Israel’s confrontation with Iran is not over. This again puts the ball in the court of Mr. Netanyahu who is firm on responding in the same coin. This juncture should prod the top world leaders to make an intervention and talk with the trigger-happy Israeli Prime Minister to dial down tensions. There is a possibility of Mr. Netanyahu again defying the world opinion and opening another war front with Iran. The Israeli Defence Forces are already engaged in a military offensive in Gaza after the deadly missile attack by Hamas militants on October 7 last.

 

As per the latest plans, IDF is readying itself for a similar operation in the Rafah province against the wishes of its closest partner America. Now, with Iran taking in a direct plunge in the war theatre, Israel seems determined to go all out against its sworn enemy. The question is, whether Israel, without the active support of its allies, is capable of withstanding all the war fronts. It does have tremendous military capabilities and also men to wage the wars on every front. However, on the flip side, Mr. Netanyahu is also facing international isolation for being rigid with his armed offensives sans humanitarian considerations. Also, there is a swelling section within Israel which is against the prolonged war. In such circumstances, Mr. Netanyahu would need to work very carefully before pulling the trigger.

It is time for the international community to take up matters on highest priority instead of safeguarding bilateral alliances. India, too, will have to be at the forefront in diffusing the tensions whose shadow can be really dark.