IN the early hours of Saturday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles towards Israel in what it has called “Operation True Promise 3.
” This military response came less than 24 hours after a deadly Israeli onslaught on Iranian nuclear and military sites that killed nearly 80 people, including several top generals.
Iran’s response was, in many ways, inevitable.
In the face of an unprovoked attack on its sovereign territory, Iran exercised its right to retaliate.
This was not a first strike, but a countermeasure.
As Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rightly stated, “The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime.
Our response will not be half-measured.
” Despite facing limitations in conventional air power, such as the absence of modern fighter jets in its arsenal, Iran demonstrated that it retains formidable strategic capabilities.
The successful deployment of ballistic missiles to strike targets deep inside Israeli territory—despite the latter’s much-lauded Iron Dome and other layered defence systems—sends a clear message: deterrence exists, and so do consequences.
For too long, Israel has acted with impunity, particularly in Gaza, where its military operations have left thousands of innocent Palestinians dead, displaced, or devastated.
The unrelenting siege, blockades, and bombardments of civilian areas cannot be justified under any pretext.
Iran’s missile strikes serve as a warning that the era of “hit and run” might be coming to an end.
However, while Iran’s response is justifiable in the context of self-defence, the escalation threatens to push an already volatile region into further chaos.
Such a trajectory benefits no one.
Regional peace and stability hang by a thread, and further militarization risks igniting a broader conflict that could engulf multiple nations.
It is in times like these that global diplomacy must rise above partisanship.
The United States, which played a pivotal role recently in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, must now use its influence to rein in Israel.
The current policy of unconditionally shielding Israel from accountability only emboldens its aggressive posturing and undermines prospects for peace.
Washington, alongside other major world powers, must support immediate de-escalation and facilitate dialogue.
This is not just about Israel and Iran—it is about preventing a full-blown regional war with global repercussions.
All stakeholders, including the UN, the EU, and regional actors such as Saudi Arabia and Turkiye must push for diplomacy over destruction.
Moreover, the international community must finally take a principled stance: Israel should not be above the law.
Holding it accountable for its repeated violations is not just morally right; it is essential for lasting peace.
