(Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs) Aviram Bellaishe - Tehran shifted the responsibility for revenge against Israel to Hizbullah. Hizbullah's attack, dubbed "Operation Arba'in" was planned for a major symbolic day for Shi'ites. Iranian officials clearly tried to create a victory image for Hizbullah's failed attack. For example, initially, Iranian media claimed that the damage to the Israeli Dvora-class ship in the Mediterranean and the killing of the sailor were inflicted by a Hizbullah missile rather than an errant Israeli interceptor. In addition, Iran's Tasnim News Agency published footage of a Hizbullah missile allegedly in flight, which turned out to be a Hizbullah drone that was intercepted. The Kayhan newspaper featured on its front page Hizbullah's claim that the Israeli preemptive strike was fake news, while the Jam-e Jam newspaper reported that the Israeli preemptive strike had "failed" to prevent Hizbullah's retaliation. The image of victory for Hizbullah's Aug. 25 operation against Israel was sorely needed, and since it did not materialize, it had to be fabricated. The writer, vice president for Strategy, Security, and Communications at the Jerusalem Center, has served in senior government positions for over 25 years.
2024-09-03 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive