Foreign Policy: Netanyahu’s Reckless Gamble Against Iran Fails
According to webangah News agency, citing mehr News Agency, Foreign Policy analyzed the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, stating that despite claims, Tel Aviv had not succeeded in accomplishing its goals.
Foreign Policy wrote: “The 12-day war between Israel and Iran left a trail of destruction for both sides-but the clearest takeaway is this: Benjamin Netanyahu’s bold gamble failed.”
The report further noted that despite launching one of Israel’s most audacious military operations in history, the short punitive war ultimately fell short of achieving its declared objectives.
The number of casualties has been high. From Iran’s side, at least 610 people-including 49 women, 13 children, and five medical staff-were killed (martyred), with an additional 4,746 injured.
According to Foreign Policy, on the other side, Iranian missiles and drones killed at least 28 people in Israel, injured over 3,200, and left approximately 9,000 homeless.
Foreign Policy reported: Despite Netanyahu’s vow to eliminate Iran’s missile and nuclear programs-and his thinly veiled hope for regime change in Tehran-Iran swiftly retaliated. Missiles were launched at Israeli cities and strategic targets. The U.S. then joined the conflict by bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to escalate hostilities by attacking Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar-a key U.S.military asset in the region-further drawing Washington into the crisis.
The attack on al-Adeed, though brief and limited, sent a targeted message: “Iran is capable of igniting the battlefield beyond its borders and imposing notable costs.”
According to Foreign Policy, while Israel has undeniably achieved notable tactical successes, the strategic objectives are far more consequential. Evidence suggests Netanyahu’s primary goals-weakening iran’s deterrence capabilities and meaningfully rolling back elements of its nuclear program, which poses the greatest proliferation risk-remain unfulfilled.
The publication emphasized that this war has had profound social and political repercussions inside Iran.Rather than sparking regime collapse, it fueled tangible nationalist sentiments.For a society fractured by economic hardships, the conflict became a moment of “unity.”