TEHRAN - Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri on Tuesday stressed that Iran’s recent retaliatory strikes on the Israeli-occupied territories have had “strategic” impacts both on the region and the world.
“The situation in the region has changed ...  after Iran’s retaliatory and punitive action against the sensitive areas and military bases of the Zionist regime,” General Baqeri said in an event.
He hailed the victorious operation that was conducted in response to the Zionist crimes, noting that it manifested national willpower against the occupying regime and had “strategic effects at the regional and global levels.”
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched extensive missile and drone strikes earlier this month on the Zionist-occupied territories. The retaliatory strikes, dubbed ‘Operation True Promise’, inflicted damage on Zionist military bases across the occupied lands.
The operation came after the Israeli attack on April 1 against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, located next to the embassy building in Damascus’s Mezzeh district.
The airstrike killed two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.
Addressing a group of high-ranking Iranian military commanders and figures in the capital Tehran on Sunday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lauded the Iranian Armed Forces for displaying a commendable image of strength and military prowess in the wake of Operation True Promise, stating they created a feeling of glory about the Islamic nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian forces have sincerely and successfully managed to present a great image of their power, abilities and authority after punishing Israel, exhibited a commendable picture of the Iranian nation, and proved the emergence of Iranians’ willpower in the international arena.
Iran has vowed to serve a “stronger response” to any further Israeli act of aggression against the country or its interests.
“Iran provided a decisive and legitimate response to an illegal action by the Israeli regime against our diplomatic premises that took place in violation of the international laws,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said in a weekly press conference on Monday.
“But if another mistake takes place, Iran’s response will be stronger,” he asserted.
In a recent dialogue involving an expert and former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman, observations were made regarding Israel’s recent provocations and Iran’s response, indicating a notable shift in the regional dynamic.
Freeman remarked on Israel’s diminishing credibility, highlighting widespread skepticism of its actions. The recent attack on Iranian embassy in Damascus by Israel was seen as a breach of international norms, yet it went uncondemned by key Western powers.
Iran’s retaliatory strike, meticulously executed with precision targeting military sites, showcased its capability to challenge Israel’s defenses effectively. Despite Israeli attempts to downplay the impact, Iran’s calculated response underscored its strategic prowess.
Moreover, Iran’s ability to neutralize American forces in the Persian Gulf through warnings to regional allies demonstrated its growing influence and strategic acumen.
Freeman said that while the Iranian attack might seem insignificant in terms of casualties or damage, its strategic implications are profound, as Iran’s assertive response has left Israel facing a dilemma, challenging its assumption of impunity in the region.
The failure of Israel’s provocations to elicit the desired response underscores a shift in the regional power dynamics, with Iran emerging as a formidable player.