‘We struck strategic systems in Iran, used only a portion of our capabilities,’ warns IDF chief Halevi

As the dust settles and the damage caused by Israel’s strikes in Iran becomes clearer, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi warned that Israel has so far used only a small part of its capabilities.

“We have used only a portion of our capabilities; we can do much more. We struck strategic systems in Iran, which carries great importance, and we will now see how things develop. We are prepared for all scenarios in every arena,“ the Halevi said.

“Our message is very, very clear, and it connects with events that have occurred throughout the Middle East in recent months – 'any threat, anywhere, at any time, we will know how to reach it, we will know how to strike.' This message is now significantly reinforced.”

NEW: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inflicted serious damage to the Iranian integrated air defense network during its strikes on Iran on October 25. 🧵(1/7) pic.twitter.com/hhhh9srJ3N

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 28, 2024

Despite the Iranian regime's claims that it succeeded in fending off the Israeli attack, recent reports and satellite images indicate that Israel’s strikes were precise and apparently reached their intended targets.

“The most important event of the last week was on Saturday morning and the zealous defense of Iran’s defense [systems] against the aggression of the Zionist regime, which was a turning point,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Monday.

“Iran will not deviate from its right to respond to the Zionist regime. This is a right that is the responsibility of the government, so we are firm and serious in our response, regardless of the exchanges.”

Despite the public bravado, Iranian officials told The New York Times that the Israeli strikes have caused “deep alarm” in the Iranian regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The Air Force attacked throughout Iran. We severely damaged Iran's defense capability and its ability to produce missiles aimed at us.”

On Sunday, CNN reported, contrary to Iranian claims, that several of the almost 100 Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets involved in the strikes entered Iran's airspace to bomb targets near Tehran. The report highlighted the inadequacy of Iran’s air defenses.

Iran lost all strategic air defense capabilities for the coming 2-3 years as a result of the attack, according to IDF damage assessments following the strikes, as cited by Israel’s Army Radio.

The strikes struck and destroyed all of Iran’s long-range surface-to-air missile batteries and detection radars, including its Russian-made S-300 system and another advanced, locally-produced system.

The systems were positioned to defend Beirut and ballistic missile launch sites in the country’s west, which are now left unprotected against any future attacks.

6/ The Parchin complex is one the most expansive and secretive Iranian missile production facilities. Some of the targets that the IDF targeted at the missile facilities were sophisticated mixing machines used to make solid fuel for advanced ballistic missiles, such as those that… pic.twitter.com/hIe1LeJ0PQ

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 28, 2024

In addition to the air defense systems, commercially available satellite images show that the IAF targeted ballistic missile production sites, including a military base in Parchin that had previously been used as a nuclear site.

It is still unclear whether Israel also targeted the Iranian regime’s drone array. While some media reported that drone facilities were hit, Army Radio said it was not.

The report also noted that Iran's existing arsenal of approximately 2,000 long-range ballistic missiles was unaffected. However, with Israel having destroyed its production capabilities, Iran will now be forced to ration its ballistic missile strikes.