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OPINION MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

The Gulf Cooperation

Council and the Iranian Missile

Attack on Israel

While speculations are rife regarding the spread of the Israel-Hamas armed conflict to other parts of the region,

there is a high probability for the Persian Gulf to get engaged in the war. Before delving into the impact on the
Persian Gulf, it is important to note the situation on Iranian streets pre- and post-missile attacks on Israel

DR. LAKSHMI PRIYA

laiming the right to self-de-
fence under Article 51 of the
CUN Charter, Iran launched
more than 300 drones and missiles
against Israel on April 13–14, which
were intercepted by Israel, the Unit-
ed States, the United Kingdom and
Jordan. The attacks came in retalia-
tion for the alleged Israeli bombing
of the Iranian consulate in Syria on
April 1, in which seven Islamic Rev-
olutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)
military advisors were killed. Iran
had vowed to retaliate as President
Raisi stated that the cowardly act—in
which a top commander of the IRGC,
Mohammed Reza Zahedi, and senior
commander Mohammad Hadi Haji
Rahimi were killed—will not go un-
answered.
With the Iranian missile attack,
Tehran’s retaliation is complete, but
a response by Israel is imminent.
Moreover, an attack on military air
base near Isfahan is being perceived
as Israel’s response, even though
both the countries had a muted re-
sponse. Notably, Israeli Cabinet
Minister Benny Gantz said that Isra- The presence of US bases and the significance of the Strait of Hormuz make the Persian Gulf important
el will exact a price from Iran when for the region and beyond (Agency photo)
the time is ‘right’.
While speculations are rife leaders, scientists and military com- a mural art saying ‘the next slap will terests. Besides gaining stature as a
regarding the spread of the Isra- manders. be fiercer’ was unveiled at Tehran’s supporter of the Palestinian cause,
el-Hamas armed conflict to other Qassem Suleimani, who was Palestine Square as the protestors the attack against Israel supports
parts of the region, there is a high assassinated in US drone strikes in chanted ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death Iran’s claim of being an Islamic
probability for the Persian Gulf to 2020, was the ‘living martyr’ of Iran. to America’. country with the capability and incli-
get engaged in the war. Before delv- Iranian military leaders are seen in The Iranian missile attack is a nation to stand up to Israel and the
ing into the impact on the Persian high regard, and the killing of Zahe- symbolic gesture on Tehran’s part to United States.
Gulf, it is important to note the sit- di and Rahimi struck a nerve in Iran. announce its potential and willing- While Israel has demanded that
uation on Iranian streets pre- and Iran’s approach to the issue reso- ness to respond to Israeli provoca- the UN impose more sanctions on
post-missile attacks on Israel. nated among the masses as demon- tions. The Chief of Staff, Moham- Iran and implement the JCPOA nu-
The Iranian government has strators praised Tehran’s stand while mad Bagheri, mentioned that Iran’s clear deals immediately, Iran has the
been under pressure from Iranian expressing concern over the expect- light drone and missile attack aimed experience of surviving under sanc-
hardliners to react because of the ed Israeli retaliation. The jubilant to destroy military bases without tions for decades.
long list of assassinations of Iranian mood was evident from the fact that targeting civilian and economic in- Continued on next page... >>

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