A hollow attack aimed at swaying media narratives

Israel’s Saturday morning aggression on Iran

By Navid Kamali

Senior foreign Affairs Analyst

Early Saturday morning on October 26, reports emerged of a limited and largely ineffective Israeli missile strike targeting chosen locations within Iran. Analysts quickly noted that the operation, dubbed “Days of Response” by Israeli officials, was more of a spectacle than substance—a publicity stunt aimed at grabbing domestic attention and influencing media narratives.
Despite extensive coverage from Israeli and Western media, a closer examination reveals that this operation achieved little beyond diverting attention from Israel’s internal issues, including widespread protests and ongoing military confrontations in Gaza and Lebanon. Indeed, Israel’s primary goal seems to be preserving the image of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cabinet amid domestic and regional challenges.

For decades, Israel has routinely exaggerated external threats, especially from Iran, while simultaneously attempting to project an image of invincible military power. However, Iran’s well-established defense capabilities—including advanced missile, drone, and radar technologies and a robust military force—make it a formidable regional actor. Any military action against Iran would invite a swift and forceful response, highlighting Iran’s commitment to regional stability and sovereignty. The potential for escalated conflict carries serious consequences not only for Israel but for the entire region and even Western powers. Consequently, Israel limits its actions to minor, largely symbolic attacks intended to draw media attention without provoking a full-scale confrontation.

A brazen show of weakness
Amid prolonged conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel’s internal crises, including deepening public protests against corruption and Netanyahu’s regime, persist. As domestic issues such as inflation, social inequality, and political corruption threaten his cabinet’s stability, Israeli leadership appears to believe that refocusing the public’s attention on perceived external threats may serve as a tool to mitigate internal pressures and bolster national morale. By exaggerating the threat posed by Iran, Israel seeks to gain domestic support and mask its failures in the home front.
However, this misguided strategy underscores structural weaknesses within the Israeli administration, which, rather than addressing genuine challenges, prefers to manipulate public perception. Such actions expose a regime which is increasingly unable to handle the repercussions of its policies in the Palestinian territories. Creating a fabricated sense of external threat thus serves as a distraction from these issues, aiming to consolidate power while evading accountability for domestic challenges.

Erosion of Israel’s image
Israel’s Saturday attack, largely inconsequential from a military standpoint, could still have a significantly negative impact on its international reputation. The global community is well aware of Israel’s inability to subdue Iran and other resistance movements, and this recent aggression is seen more as an attempt to garner domestic approval than as a meaningful military or diplomatic success. International condemnation has been widespread, with numerous nations describing Israel’s actions as violations of international law.
In light of these reactions, Israel’s aggressive actions seem not only strategically hollow but also diplomatically counterproductive. Instead of reinforcing its standing, these actions have triggered harsh criticism from the global community, damaging Israel’s already strained international reputation.
Iran’s growing power and strategic restraint
Israel’s repeated, ineffective attacks underscore a more profound reality, Iran is fully capable of defending itself against such threats. Esteemed think tanks worldwide acknowledge Iran as a resilient regional power with the capacity to respond decisively when necessary. Iran’s emphasis on deterrence and regional security, coupled with its restrained and measured responses, demonstrates the effectiveness of its defensive strategies in countering external threats.
Furthermore, Iran’s domestic advancements in defense technology and expertise have created a serious obstacle for Israel, which refrains from significant military actions due to the anticipated heavy costs. Iran’s advanced defense systems stand as a substantial deterrent, preventing Israel from freely targeting strategic sites within the Iranian territory.
Israel’s internal crises cloaked as external threats
Despite its persistent threats, Israel’s actions—including Saturday’s largely symbolic attack—appear less about achieving military objectives and more about redirecting global and domestic attention away from its involvement in Gaza and Lebanon. By leaning on media tactics, Israel continues to frame itself as under threat, maintaining an illusion of military threat toward Iran to mask its internal struggles.
Iran, meanwhile, has consistently demonstrated a calm and rational approach to such provocations, using its defensive strength to deftly manage threats. This measured posture reflects the sophistication of Iranian leadership in navigating regional realities and secures Iran’s reputation as a formidable adversary. With continued strategic foresight, Iran is well-positioned to impose further setbacks on Israel and its allies, reinforcing its stance as a central power in the region.