Despite the passage of several days since the Israeli attack on Iran, its dimensions have not yet been clarified.

As far as the scope and details are concerned, Israel says 100 (some put the figures at 140) fighter jets were used in these attacks, as 20 targets had been hit in different parts of Iran. Reports suggest the attack comprised “three waves” and a significant number of American refueling planes participated in the process.

According to Western media, Iran’s defense systems have been disabled after the attack and will be unable to defend the country in future. There also claims that targets were hit in different areas such as Khajir, Parchin, Islamshahr, defense sites in the southwest of Tehran, radar sites in Ilam, and even IRGC facilities in Shahrood.

On the other hand, the Iranian military says four air defense personnel were martyred along with a civilian in Islamshahr as a result of Israeli strikes.

Tactically, the goal of Israel in the first wave was to destroy the defense systems, drone manufacturing facilities in the second, and the facilities related to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) air force in the third.

Meanwhile, the Israeli jets fired missiles at targets in Iran using the space available to the American military in Iraq, 100 kilometers from the Iranian border.

As far as the weapons used are concerned, a review of the published pictures of the remains of two missiles in Iraq shows that the projectile used were either Rocks (ROCKS ALBM) or Black Sparrow, which have similar appearance.

ROCKS is a supersonic air-to-ground missile equipped with a single-stage solid fuel engine produced by Rafael, an Israeli company. It is similar to the technology used in the SPICE series of air-launched bombs. This missile, which entered into service in 2016 with a range of 600 to 800 kilometers, uses GPS/INS systems and has an electro-optical seeker and anti-radar capabilities. Israeli F-35, F15 and F16 fighters can carry this missile.

After being launched from the fighter jet, this missile flies at a higher altitude and then goes to the ground with the same speed and path as a ballistic missile. ROCKS can be equipped with two types of explosive or penetrating warheads to destroy above-ground or below-ground targets.

If Iran’s defense systems have been damaged in the way that the Zionist regime and the Western media claim, why did the 100 fighter jets involved in the attack fail to enter Iran’s airspace?

Israel initially developed the Sparrow series missiles to test the effectiveness of the Arrow air defense system. Black Sparrow is a hypersonic missile simulating maneuverable targets and short-range missiles like Scud.

The Blue and Silver Sparrow missiles were made with greater range and speed to simulate medium-range ballistics.

Although these missiles are considered simulators, they can install a detachable warhead with a three-axis situation control system. Due to their maneuverability and different guidance systems, they are suitable for attacking defense systems or escaping from them with heavy maneuvers.

On the other and, Iran had various defense systems at its disposal. The list includes S 300 PMU2, Bavar 373, Mehran, Khordad 15, and the tactical hunter Arman which uses the Sayad 3F defense missile). The role of Indigenous systems, especially Bawar 373, was significant in this context.

According to some reports, 78 missiles launched from Israeli planes had been destroyed, of which 68 were outside Iran’s borders.

In addition, it is said that micro-drones have been used in Tehran to attack some targets, which have been countered with a unique defense system.

However, six projectiles indeed hit military sites, but considering at least one struck Mahshahr, the number of hits seems to be more.

The question is, if Iran’s defense systems have been damaged in the way that the Zionist regime and the Western media claim, why did the 100 fighter jets involved in the attack fail to enter Iran’s airspace? Another question is why the damage caused to these Iranian defense systems is not reflected in the satellite images that have been shared.

These are vital questions to answer.

Both exaggerating or downplaying the Israeli airstrikes are incorrect approaches. However, a decision should be made, on one hand, regarding the dimensions along with the human and equipment losses as a result of this act of aggression, and, on the other, determining the right time and position to react to it.

Will Iran retaliate and strike back?

My answer is affirmative.