Page 11 - The Indian EYE 101824

OPINION OCTOBER 18, 2024 | The Indian Eye 11

phasized on a well-measured, calcu-
lated, fitting, definitive, and timely
response to Israel.
Also, Iran’s missile strike on Isra-
el in April 2024 as a response to the
Israeli bombing of the Iranian consul-
ate in Damascus and the killing of the
top commander of the Quds force,
Major General Mohammad Reza
Zahedi, appears to be well calculat-
ed. Iran had informed the United
States of the limited attack on Israel
in advance, launched an attack from
its territory, giving Israel and other
countries ample time to react and
defend, and caused negligible casu-
alties. The missile attack was loaded
with the symbolic value for Iran being
able to reach Israeli territory though.
Israel’s Psychological Pressure
on Iran
Israel too puts psychological
pressure on Iran. For instance, Is-
rael achieved its moment of glory
on 31 July 2024 when it killed the
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh along
with his personal bodyguard at the
swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian Israel achieved its moment of glory on 31 July 2024 when it killed the Hamas leader Ismail
President. The precision of the attack ly intended for the domestic audi-
nails the fact that Israel can reach any ence that has expectations from the Haniyeh (left) along with his personal bodyguard in Tehran (Agency photo)
part of the Iranian territory through Pezeshkian government. Iran has
its strong intelligence presence. Fur- been engaged in hyperboles and psy- strength occasionally to its worthy negatively impacting the security and
ther, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah chological games earlier as well, espe- opponent Iran, which gains an upper stability of the region. The rhetoric
Ali Khamenei states that Iran’s rival cially in the context of its emphasis on hand through its proxies. The signing emanating from both the countries is
countries, including Israel, put psy- its aversion to the west and the Unit- of the Abraham Accords reflects Is- escalatory and is not accommodative
chological pressure on Iran to rethink ed States. The war of words actually rael’s growing acceptance in the re- of the other side.
its foreign policy by exaggerating helps in avoiding the actual conflict gion, but Iran is a tough nut to crack, Dr. Lakshmi Priya is a
their power and capability and scare while reducing the domestic and re- and it has put the two countries in a Research Fellow at the Indian Council
tactics. He also said that those coun- gional pressure. checkmate in the recent years. Other of World Affairs, New Delhi. Views
tries that follow the line of western than that, the Netanyahu government expressed are personal
countries in consideration of latter’s Conclusion is hanging by a thread clearly evident
overstated power can render their de- The phenomenon of psychologi- from the ongoing protests, and keep- This article first appeared in the View-
mands ineffective by relying on their cal maneuverings has been explained ing Iran in the picture might buy him point section of the website (www.icwa.
national strength and capabilities. by scholars through the game theory, some time. In conclusion, the mind in) of Indian Council of World Affairs,
An Assessment arguing the two countries engage in games between Iran and Israel are New Delhi, on September 26, 2024
Playing with the enemy’s mind mind games despite knowing that
and bluffing is not a new tool of war- coming together will be beneficial for
both, anticipating the other party will
fare and has been used by the Greek back off.
Emperor Alexander, the Mongol In this case, both countries know
leader Genghis Khan, as well as the the intense regional devastation that
superpowers, the US and Soviet will follow in the case of a full-fledged
Union, during the Cold War. war and accordingly take precise
In the case of Iran, its psychologi-
cal warfare seems to be succeeding as steps and make thoughtfully planned
statements aimed at the domestic,
a number of Israeli residents remain regional, and international audience.
anxious about the impending crisis; Iran voices its opposition to the west-
many are leaving Israel for the west ern domination, and external inter-
due to the fear of Iranian retaliation ference in the region strongly and
and the overall unstable situation. gains support from Russia and China
Within two months of the 7 October at the international level and legiti-
Hamas attack, nearly half a million macy at the domestic level.
people left Israel, and there was a Similarly, Israel brings its tough-
significant decline in the number of est reaction for Iran, customized for
Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel. domestic consumption. Also sur-
Secondly, Iran’s promise of an
apt response is perhaps primari- rounded by the dominant regional
actors, Israel needs to represent its

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