More than 7 days have passed since the ceasefire started between Israel and Iran. Since the beginning of the ceasefire there have been explosions and even drone attacks that have triggered Iran’s anti-aircraft batteries. It has been assumed these were either opposition factions and/or Mossad. Last night something much bigger happened.
Iranians reported a huge explosion and later it was was confirmed that an IRGC leader was killed. Whether this attack was carried out by Israel directly or members of the opposition does not matter for the regime. Soon after the attack, the regime threatened to retaliate against Israel.
By this evening a ballistic missile shot by the Houthis at Israel was intercepted by Israel’s air defenses. While it is not clear whether this was the retaliation the IRGC promised, what is clear is the region may only be on short break instead of long term peace as the Trump administration would have everyone believe.
In response to this evening’s missile attack, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated: “Yemen Will Be Treated Like Tehran.
After Striking the Head of the Snake in Tehran We’ll Strike the Houthis in Yemen Too. Whoever Raises a Hand Against Israel — That Hand Will Be Cut Off.”
Reality is often hard to digest when it flies in the face of imagined abilities to bring a new reality into view. Trump may want regional peace, but he fast rushing towards the reality of the current conflict. The only question is whether he accepts it.