Andrew Bolt: Iran’s strike against Israel more show than kill

When the smoke cleared after Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, we saw this world war was all bluster — as fake as professional wrestling.

Sunday – Iran’s first direct attack on Israel – was said to start World War III.

True, Iran unleashed more than 200 drones and rockets, and eight countries got dragged into this fighting.

But relief: when the smoke cleared, we saw this world war was as fake as professional wrestling. Call it World Championship Warfare.

Iran had vowed revenge after Israel bombed its embassy building in Syria’s capital, Damascus, killing a top Iranian general who had overseen anti-Israel terrorists sponsored by Iran. A hard-line political group backing Iran’s supreme leader said he had also helped in “planning and executing” the October 7 massacre of 1200 Jews by Hamas.

Iran’s pride demanded Israel pay. But its fear of Israel – which has shown what it will do to those who wound it – dictated that be more show than kill.

So everything was telegraphed.

Iran’s fear of Israel dictated that its attack be more show than kill. Picture: Getty Images

First, Iran warned Israel it would strike, and the US even knew it would be this weekend.

That gave Israel time to get jets in the air in readiness, and the US time to position ships with planes and anti-missile defences to help out.

Next, Iran got Hezbollah, its terrorist proxy in Lebanon, to fire some of its 200,000 rockets and missiles at northern Israel – but not many.

Then Iran sent only 185 drones against only military targets and over such a distance that they took nine hours to reach Israel, by which time almost all were shot down.

Iran also fired nearly 150 missiles, but nearly all were intercepted, too. Some did strike – or were allowed to – an Israeli air force base in the Negev desert, letting Iran boast it landed “heavy blows”. Israel said damage was minor.

Arab media reported even Muslim Jordan and Saudi Arabia helped shoot down Iranian missiles and drones. Picture: AFP

In the end, the only person reported injured was a Bedouin girl – a Muslim.

Then, having achieved just some showy bangs, Iran called pax: “The matter can be deemed concluded”.

If Israel agrees, it is.

This make-believe shows Israel still frightens its enemies, and the US will still defend it.

What’s more, Arab media reported even Muslim Jordan and Saudi Arabia helped shoot down Iranian missiles and drones. So did British jets.

But Iran’s terrorist proxies did little. Hamas in Gaza is now too weak, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels didn’t shoot much, either.

Yes, Iran remains a menace as it develops its nuclear bomb, but even Muslim countries now defend Israel from it, helping Israel win the first World Championship Warfare title.

Originally published as Andrew Bolt: Iran’s strike against Israel more show than kill