Despite the decapitation of its top military leadership in Israel’s initial air campaign, Iran has demonstrated a surprising ability to regroup and mount sustained counterattacks, according to Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
Speaking to Vietnam Insider, Parsi noted that Israel had likely assumed its targeted killings would cripple Iran’s military command and control capabilities. “They [the Israelis] underestimated the Iranian ability to regroup after very successfully targeting the top leadership of the Iranian military,” he said. “But that idea was quickly restructured.”
Related: What We Know So Far: Israel–Iran Conflict Escalates After Surprise Strikes
Since the launch of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion last week, which killed several senior Iranian commanders—including the chief of staff of the armed forces, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and key figures from Iran’s air force and national security apparatus—Iran has continued to launch waves of ballistic missile attacks.
Parsi pointed out that Iranian missiles have been able to penetrate multiple layers of Israel’s advanced air defense systems, suggesting Tehran’s operational capabilities remain intact despite its leadership losses.
The renewed strikes early Monday morning hit multiple sites across Israel, intensifying a conflict that has now claimed hundreds of lives. Explosions lit up the night skies over Tel Aviv and Haifa, where fires were reported at energy infrastructure sites. Meanwhile, in Tehran, the fear of further Israeli retaliation has triggered an exodus of residents seeking safety.
The ability of Iranian forces to reorganize rapidly has taken many observers by surprise, signaling that Iran had contingency plans in place for precisely such a scenario. The ongoing exchanges mark a dangerous new phase in the conflict, with both sides showing little sign of restraint.
As the region teeters on the edge of broader war, analysts warn that miscalculation or continued escalation could draw in additional powers and destabilize the Middle East further.
Vietnam Insider will continue to monitor this developing story.
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Source: Vietnam Insider