Fantasy of Easy Victory in War on Iran Raises Concerns Among Diplomats

US and Israel Launch Attack on Iran, Claiming Regime Change as Goal

In a televised address, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that their ultimate goal is regime change in Iran. The attack, which targeted various locations across the country, was launched despite recent diplomatic efforts to negotiate a deal.

According to reports, the operation was coordinated with Israel ahead of the Purim holiday, which commemorates the biblical story of the Jewish people being saved from mass killing in ancient Persia. The Israeli government claimed that its military had achieved significant success in eliminating Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, Iranian officials have denied that these leaders were killed, stating that they are safe. Instead, the country reported an air strike on a girls’ school in the city of Minab, resulting in at least 60 deaths.

Iran’s swift response to the attack included launching ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Israeli cities like Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Eilat. The Iranian military had anticipated these attacks and had its retaliation plans ready.

The situation has raised concerns about the potential for a prolonged conflict. A recent poll by YouGov and The Economist found that only 27 percent of Americans support the US using military force against Iran. The war also poses significant domestic political challenges for President Trump, who will be caught between escalating the conflict or backing down if it does not go as planned.

The Israeli government has claimed to have focused on taking out civilian and military leadership and military installations. However, the true extent of the damage is still unclear. As the situation continues to unfold, analysts are left wondering whether Iran can outlast US resolve and what the long-term consequences of this conflict will be.

Source: Al Jazeera