The damage to Iran's nuclear and missile programs was small because Iran had defended itself, but the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed. Iran responded strongly. A new vicious cycle between Israel and Iran has become inevitable, with unpredictable impacts and consequences for security and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf.
This attack on Iran was carried out by Israel in the context of the US and Iran promoting negotiations on a solution to the Iranian nuclear problem and right before the 6th round of negotiations. The negotiation process is progressing slowly, and it is worth noting that US President Donald Trump is not only optimistic about the prospects of the negotiation process but also publicly reminded Israel not to military attack Iran. The US knew in advance that Israel would airstrike Iran but did not prevent it.
Unlike his predecessor, Trump has so far not affirmed that the US will support Israel in resisting Iran's retaliation. In reality, without the direct help of the US, it would be difficult for Israel to successfully respond to Iran's fierce retaliation. Iran is forced into a situation where it is impossible not to retaliate strongly against Israel unless it is exchanged for some basic and extensive concession from the US.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently airstruggling with Iran with three targets. The first is to create an emergency war situation so that the parties with disagreements in the parliament do not continue to pursue the policy of removing Mr. Netanyahu and holding early general elections, that is, saving their own power. Second, it makes it difficult for negotiations between the US and Iran to succeed. Every deal between Trump and Iran is a nightmare for Netanyahu. And third, it is a test of Mr. Trump's support for Israel in the context of the personal relationship between Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu gradually becoming loose and distant.
