Iran Military Parade: Raisi Celebrates Attack Success, Criticises Nations Normalizing Ties With Israel

During an annual military parade, Iran's recent missile and drone assault on Israel was commemorated, with the operation being hailed as a 'success'.

The attack, known as Honest Promise, was praised by President Ebrahim Raisi for its effectiveness in challenging Israel's power. The armed forces were addressed by Raisi at a military base near Tehran, where he emphasized their readiness for action.

Iran Military Parade - Here's What Raisi Said

"This operation demonstrated that our armed forces are prepared," he remarked in a speech directed at the regular army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Various military assets, including drones and long-range ballistic missiles, were showcased during the parade, as reported by Times Of Israel.

Raisi also criticized countries that had normalized relations with Israel, suggesting they had experienced a strategic setback. "These countries are now humiliated in front of their own people, which constitutes a strategic failure for the regime of Israel," he added.

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalized relations with Israel as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords. Peace accords were signed by Egypt and Jordan with Israel in 1979 and 1994, respectively.

He cautioned against any Israeli aggression, warning of a forceful retaliation from Iran. The remarks come amidst heightened tensions following the recent exchange of attacks between the two nations, as reported by Times Of Israel.

The relocation of the annual parade to a different venue raised questions, with no official explanation provided. Nonetheless, the event underscored Iran's military prowess and readiness to defend itself against perceived threats.

The recent escalation between Iran and Israel adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, fueled by a series of confrontations and conflicts.

Iran- Israel Conflict | Latest Updates

Iran Targets Israel - Here's Why

• Drones and missiles were launched towards Israel by Iran in response to a deadly strike on its consulate in Damascus, Syria. This strike resulted in casualties, including senior Iranian commanders, reported BBC.
• The strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus is believed to have been carried out by Israel, although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility. This incident was viewed by Iran as a violation of its sovereignty.
• This marks the first direct attack by Iran on Israel, following years of a shadow war where both countries targeted each other's assets without openly admitting involvement.
• The frequency and intensity of these attacks increased during the ongoing war in Gaza triggered by Hamas's assault on Israeli communities in October last year.

Iran and Israel: Adversarial Relations

• Iran and Israel were allies until Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979, which led to a regime that strongly opposes Israel as part of its ideology, as reported by BBC.
• Iran does not acknowledge Israel's right to exist and aims for its eradication, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referring to Israel as a "cancerous tumour" that will be destroyed.
• Israel perceives Iran as an existential threat due to Tehran's rhetoric, support for proxy forces hostile to Israel (such as Hamas and Hezbollah), and suspected nuclear ambitions.

Iran retaliate with an attack on Israel

• Iran retaliated against Israel following the air strike on its consulate in Damascus, which it viewed as a violation of its sovereignty and a targeted attack resulting in casualties, including senior Iranian commanders.
• Although Israel did not officially claim responsibility for the consulate strike, Iran attributed it to Israel, resulting in direct retaliation.
• The attack was intended to send a message of strength and deterrence to Israel, showcasing Iran's capability and reach in response to perceived provocations.

Iran's and Israel's military capabilities

• Iran has invested significantly in missiles and drones, supplying them to proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. Despite its larger population, Iran lacks modern air defence systems and fighter jets.
• Israel possesses one of the world's most advanced air forces, with sophisticated jets and experience in conducting strikes deep into hostile territories, as per media reports.
• Iran's military strategy emphasizes asymmetrical warfare through proxy groups and unconventional tactics, while Israel focuses on technological superiority and air dominance.

Iran's Message

• Iranian leadership sought to demonstrate its capability and reach by directly targeting Israel in response to perceived provocations and attacks on Iranian assets, as per media reports.
• The attack was perceived as a chilling signal of Iran's military prowess and determination to defend its interests and allies in the region.
• Iran's response was calculated to show strength and deter further escalations while avoiding a full-scale conflict with Israel and its allies.