Iran Takes a Bolder Stance: Direct Strikes on Israeli Mainland for Hezbollah

Observers suggest that Iran's new leadership has shifted its foreign policy from the restraint maintained for decades to a hardline approach.
The recent operation in which Iran directly struck the Israeli mainland to rescue its pro-Iranian proxy forces is cited as a clear example of this change.
Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a U.S. foreign policy think tank, noted in an interview with CNN on June 9 (local time) that "Iran has demonstrated both the capability and the will to use force even against Israeli military actions directed at third countries, not just Iran itself," adding that "this is the first time in decades."
Danny Citrinowicz, former head of the Iran branch of the Israeli Military Intelligence, also told CNN that "Iran is trying to create a 'new equation' to prevent Israel from acting rashly not only against the Iranian mainland but also against Iran's proxy forces in the region."
He also wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that "the events of the past 24 hours (in which Iran attacked Israel) show that there is a growing perception within Iran's current leadership that 'what cannot be solved through diplomacy can be achieved through force.'"
The analysis suggests that by exceptionally stepping in directly to retaliate on behalf of its proxy forces, Iran has effectively abandoned the cautious foreign strategy it had long adhered to.
Initially, while maintaining a hostile relationship with the U.S., Iran had shown cautious and restrained responses through proxy wars and choreographed attacks.
In January 2020, when Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was assassinated under the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran notified the U.S. of its retaliatory attack in advance, and it also avoided direct confrontation with the U.S. military during the war with Israel last year.
However, CNN pointed out that Iran's leadership, now in a new generation, is strongly demonstrating a willingness to influence the situation in the Middle East even at the risk of danger.
Although President Trump has previously mentioned that the new leadership is "rational and quite reasonable" compared to the past, the reality is that they are showing a more hardline and aggressive tendency than before.
Iran has warned that it could further escalate military tensions in the future.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency quoted an anonymous military source on this day as saying, "If Israel and the U.S. think they can keep Iran and the 'Resistance Front' (Iran's proxy forces) within a controllable range through 'controlled tension' in the face of their crimes, they are making a foolish mistake."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.