Iran must have a difficult choice over how to react to an Israeli bombing on its embassy in Damascus that claimed the lives of multiple Revolutionary Guard members. Tehran promises retaliation but is wary of escalating the fight too much as it would raise tensions.
Tensions have increased following Israel's recent attack on Iran's embassy compound in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of five military advisors and two Iranian generals. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has denounced the attack and vowed to exact severe revenge on Israel. Tehran is cautious about the dangers of retaliation, though, as it might spark a larger regional confrontation.
Tensions have increased following Israel's recent attack on Iran's embassy compound in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of five military advisors and two Iranian generals. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has denounced the attack and vowed to exact severe revenge on Israel. Tehran is cautious about the dangers of retaliation, though, as it might spark a larger regional confrontation.
According to analysts, Iran has a number of options for retribution, such as going after Israeli interests directly or using its proxies to fight American forces in Syria and Iraq. As an alternative, Tehran can intensify its nuclear program against the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement. All of these choices, meanwhile, come with a great deal of escalation risk, which Iran is eager to avoid given the ongoing domestic unrest and sanctions-related economic difficulties.
The ongoing dispute between Israel and Iran has escalated significantly with the strike on Iran's embassy. As a result, Tehran is under pressure to respond forcefully in order to preserve its reputation in the area. Nevertheless, despite predictions of heavy response from both Israel and the United States, Iran might decide to target Israeli interests rather than American forces in order to prevent starting a larger battle.
Iran probably doesn't want to go to war with Israel right now, but if it does, it will probably respond carefully to avoid starting a bigger fight. Leaders in Iran may decide to take limited revenge in order to prevent more Israeli strikes without raising the stakes even higher, even if doing so puts them in the crosshairs of domestic hardliners. Tehran must therefore delicately strike a balance between the necessity of averting a more protracted conflict and the desire to save face at home.
The ongoing dispute between Israel and Iran has escalated significantly with the strike on Iran's embassy. As a result, Tehran is under pressure to respond forcefully in order to preserve its reputation in the area. Nevertheless, despite predictions of heavy response from both Israel and the United States, Iran might decide to target Israeli interests rather than American forces in order to prevent starting a larger battle.
Iran probably doesn't want to go to war with Israel right now, but if it does, it will probably respond carefully to avoid starting a bigger fight. Leaders in Iran may decide to take limited revenge in order to prevent more Israeli strikes without raising the stakes even higher, even if doing so puts them in the crosshairs of domestic hardliners. Tehran must therefore delicately strike a balance between the necessity of averting a more protracted conflict and the desire to save face at home.