Time to de-escalate
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Tehran's sole consolation was that Tel Aviv was under flames. In retaliation to the unprecedented devastation of its military gear and command, the Islamic Republic reportedly flew more than 100 ballistic missiles and Arash Kamikaze drones late on Friday on the Jewish state, and many of them were able to hit their targets. Not just the independent media, Tel Aviv too confirmed that Israel was under attack from Iran, and vowed to "burn Tehran" if the onslaught continued.
Iran's new military command now seems to be in a jingoistic mood and has promised to "annihilate" the aggressor. But the volume of death and destruction in Iran is mounting as Israeli fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles struck hard once again in their second phase of bombardment after claiming to have neutralised Iran's air defence system.
Overnight casualty list for Iran was extensive, including cities in the west and northwest, like Tabriz, Lorestan Hamedan and Kermanshah, which house key defences and military bases. Mehrabad airport in Tehran also came under attack; and for the first time Israel seemed to be scot-free in flying salvos 1,500 km away on the capital city without the fear of any tactical obstruction.
With assured escalation in days to come, the critical question is, what will be the end-game? As far as Iran and its hardline leadership are concerned, it's time to fight it out. It is pleased to see that its enrichment sites are still safe and radiation is 'unchanged' in Natanz area, notwithstanding limited damage to Fordow and Isfahan nuclear sites.
On the diplomatic front, it is a point of concern that Iran's allies and world bodies are muted. Khamenei has rebuffed Trump over the 'talks under coercion', terming them as 'meaningless', but that is where the next critical confrontation pertaining to the future security and stability of Iran rests. All that the US-Israel duo wants at this time is a deal on the nuclear profile as a face-saving outcome. That, however, is tantamount to capitulation for the clergy regime and, thus, resorting to brinkmanship is the last available feature in power politics.
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