Wall Street Journal: Israel's Attack on Islamic Republic Positions Also Undermined the Credibility of Russian Military Equipment

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday about the destruction of three Russian-made S-300 systems during Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic early Saturday morning, recalling the poor performance of these systems during the war between Russia and Ukraine. The report stated that Israel's airstrikes on the Islamic Republic's positions not only destroyed vital military infrastructure of the Iranian government but also undermined the credibility of Russian military equipment, which had already been damaged due to their poor performance during the invasion of Ukraine. Citing Israeli and American officials, the American newspaper noted that the S-300 systems deployed in Iran may have managed to intercept only a few missiles fired from Israeli fighter jets at best. In the attack attributed to Israel on April 20, another S-300 system was also destroyed. The Israeli army announced on Saturday morning, November 5, coinciding with sunrise in Iran, that the 'precise and targeted' attacks on military objectives of the Islamic Republic in various regions of Iran had concluded and that Israeli aircraft had successfully returned to their bases. This attack was in response to the firing of over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel by the Iranian government on October 2. On April 14, the Islamic Republic had also fired 320 projectiles, including suicide drones and ballistic and cruise missiles, at Israel. Two days after these attacks and following numerous reports indicating the success of these operations, the Iranian government once again threatened Israel with retaliation using 'all means.' Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday that the Iranian government would not 'deviate' from its right to respond to Israel and is 'decisive and serious' in this regard. Baqaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic would use 'all means for a decisive response' and that the type of response would be determined based on 'the nature of Israel's attack.' Since the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, by Palestinian militants against Israel—resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, including women, children, and the elderly, and the abduction of over 250 others, mostly civilians—Israel has been engaged in battles on multiple fronts with the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces. There are still 101 hostages abducted by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that at least one-third of them have lost their lives. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. In the north, Israel has also been engaged with the Islamic Republic's main proxy, Hezbollah of Lebanon. Following the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah unilaterally began its rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. In response, Israel has conducted severe attacks against this group's positions in Lebanon and Syria, killing hundreds of members of this Iranian-backed group, including its leader and senior military commanders such as Hassan Nasrallah, Foad Shakir, Ibrahim Aqil, and Hashem Safi al-Din. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means that there is no distinction made between its political and military branches, and both are recognized as terrorist entities. Israel dismissed the Islamic Republic's claim regarding the illegality of the attacks as 'ridiculous.' What we know so far about the damages from Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic's positions includes reports that Israel 'broke the backbone' of the Islamic Republic's missile industry. Ali Khamenei stated that the Israeli attack should not be 'downplayed.' A day after the Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic's positions, officials stated, 'We will respond.' Exclusive Reuters reports and satellite images indicate that Israel attacked the Islamic Republic's missile facilities. Israeli media reported that Israel's retaliatory attack paralyzed the Islamic Republic's missile capabilities.