IRAN WINS: ISRAEL HIT HARD, FAILS TO ACHIEVE ITS WAR OBJECTIVES

With a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel holding, the world may heave a sigh of relief that the conflict ended within 12 days and did not spread to the wider region, thereby averting a global economic downturn far worse than that caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

- _ By Ameen Izzadeen

But the hostilities have not ended, though the fighting has ceased-for now. Realistically, another Israeli offensive against Iran cannot be ruled out. The likelihood is high; it's not a question of if, but when.

This is because Israel did not achieve its military objectives. It may have scored some early successes in the war, but it failed to deliver a knockout punch. Despite the attacks, Iran is standing tall-standing as a bulwark against imperialism and Zionism.

It is Israel that took the bigger hit. The ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump was largely aimed at saving Israel, which he said had been hit hard. One could say the blow was unlike anything Israel had experienced before. The invincibility of its defences was exposed as a myth. Had the war continued for even one more week, the damage Israel would have suffered could have been enormous.

True, Iran was also hit hard. Its nuclear infrastructure became easy targets for the enemy. Much of Iran's air defence system was destroyed on the first day of the war. With its defences barely effective, its airspace became an open corridor for enemy aircraft. Yet, at the end of the day, Iran emerged stronger-not only in terms of tangible military gains but also in a united resolve to resist aggression, whether from Israel or the United States.

The war launched by Israel on Friday, June 13, is illegal-period. It violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. In contrast, Iran was on the right side of history. Its counterattack was fully legal under Article 51 of the Charter.

Iran won because Israel failed to achieve the objectives of its aggression. Iran won because it was the only country a nonnuclear country that courageously took on two nuclear powers simultaneously.

Israel lost the war because it failed to obliterate Iran's nuclear programme.