Watch: Why Iran's missile attack reminds of America’s attack on Iraq in 1991

It was almost night, some were heading home, others were off to bed when Iran launched a barrage of over 180 missiles towards Israeli territory, its second attack this year after April when it fired around 110 ballistic and 30 cruise missiles towards Israel.

Air raid sirens were sounded in Israel and residents in the neighbourhood rushed to bomb shelters.

The night sky glowed orange with missiles which were fired by Iran towards Israel being intercepted by Israeli air defences including Iron Dome which is designed to intercept short-range rockets of the sort fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Islamic Republic of Iran launched the largest ballistic missile attack the world has ever seen as it targeted Israel today, firing more than 200 missiles.
Where are the anti-war, human rights, social justice, civil rights, ceasefire, and peace activists? It seems they are… pic.twitter.com/zgJj13aSGZ

— (((Yuval David))) (@YuvalDavid) October 2, 2024

Meanwhile, Iran claimed that most of its missiles hit their targets with Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard alleging that 90 per cent of missiles it launched against Israel hit their targets.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei tweeted an illustration of a large underground weapons cache, with the message: “Victory comes from Allah and it is close.”

نَصرٌ مِنَ الله و فَتحٌ قرِيب... pic.twitter.com/l53SfjEslF

— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) October 1, 2024

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Not just this, Iran’s armed forces joint chief of staff General Mohammad Bagheri went on to warn that his country will hit Israel’s entire infrastructure if it takes any action against its territory. He further claimed that the Revolutionary Guard was prepared both defensively and offensively to repeat its missile attack with “multiplied intensity".

The IRGC said the attacks on Israel were in response to killing of one of its top commanders Abbas Nilforoshan and leaders of Iran-backed militias – Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah – in the region.

IRGC also referenced the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
A report by Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying that Ayatollah Khamenei, had personally given the order for Tuesday’s missile attack on Israel.

Interestingly, Iran’s attack on October 1, 2024, reminded of America’s attack on Iraq in 1991, particularly the initiation of Operation Desert Storm on January 17 of that year. Just as Iran sought to assert its military prowess against Israel, the United States executed a comprehensive aerial assault aimed at crippling Iraq’s military capabilities and restoring stability in the region.

Strategic targeting & military precision

Both Iran’s missile attack and the US assault on Iraq were characterised by strategic targeting. In 1991, the US focused on dismantling Iraq’s air defences, launching precision strikes against radar and anti-aircraft positions. This strategy opened the way for a broader air campaign.

OTD in 1991: The sky over Baghdad lits up as the US-led Coalition begins an extensive aerial bombing campaign against Iraq in the opening phase of the Operation Desert Storm. pic.twitter.com/MKQRJ0hCzo

— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) January 17, 2024

Similarly, Iran aimed to hit key military and infrastructural targets within Israel, demonstrating its intent to retaliate against perceived aggressions and to assert its regional influence.

Immediate & calculated responses

The military responses in both cases were swift and calculated. The US coordinated a multifaceted attack that involved various military branches to ensure overwhelming force, while Iran claimed that a significant percentage of its missiles successfully struck their intended targets. This suggests a level of military planning and execution that echoes the intensity of the Gulf War.

🇮🇱🇮🇶
Archives: Le régime irakien de Saddam Hussein a mené une campagne de bombardement par missiles balistiques contre Israël entre le 17 janvier 1991 et le 23 février 1991, lors de la guerre du Golfe. L'Irak a lancé 42 missiles balistiques Scud, causant la mort de 13 personnes,… pic.twitter.com/C4kahATsxa

— Restitutor Orientis 🇨🇭 (@restitutorII) August 4, 2024

Messaging & propaganda

In fact, even Khamenei, tweeting a message of impending victory, is reminiscent of the US emphasising the moral justification for military action and the liberation of Kuwait as a noble cause. Both countries leveraged propaganda to bolster national morale and legitimise their military operations.

Retaliation & justifications

Iran justified its attack as a direct response to the killing of key military figures, including a prominent commander and leaders of Iran-backed militias. This rationale parallels the US framing of its operations in Iraq, where military action was presented as a necessary response to Iraqi aggression and a means to protect regional stability.

International implications

The consequences of these military actions extend beyond the immediate conflict. The Gulf War fundamentally reshaped West Asia’s politics and solidified US involvement in the region.

Similarly, Iran’s recent missile attack raises critical questions about regional stability and the potential for escalating conflict. As nations around the world respond to this latest aggression, the reverberations could reshape alliances and power dynamics for years to come.

With inputs from agencies.