Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran for missile and drone attacks following the bombing of its consulate in Syria. The war cabinet has discussed military responses, while Iran has threatened a harsh reaction if directly attacked. How well can Iran defend itself?
Iran has focused on local defense capabilities due to past conflicts and sanctions. Its air force relies on outdated Russian jets and locally-made aircraft. While seeking to acquire new fighter jets, Iran has developed advanced missile defense systems like the Bavar-373, which can detect and engage a variety of threats.
Iran also operates Russian S-300 systems and has a variety of medium to short-range missile defenses. These systems provide layers of defense against different types of threats. Iran plans to unveil more defense systems in the future.
In addition to missile defenses, Iran has faced cyberattacks and sabotage from Israel. The National Organization for Passive Defense works to defend against cyber threats. Iran has also been accused of cyber attacks on Israeli targets. The ongoing conflict between the two countries continues to involve unconventional warfare tactics.