On November 14, 1940, the German Luftwaffe launched a devastating airstrike on the British city of Coventry. German propaganda hailed it as the most ferocious attack of the war. Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels even coined the word “to coventrate” in celebration.
However, reality unfolded differently. The British quickly relocated their aircraft engine and parts factories to secret locations. Though their production was disrupted, it wasn’t destroyed. Within months, operations resumed in full swing.
This historical lesson mirrors the current situation in the Middle East. Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran with lofty objectives—but within 12 days, it began to look more like a strategic setback than a victory.
Israel’s Three Main Goals Have Failed
1. Destroying Iran’s Nuclear Program:
While the Trump administration claimed Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely wiped out,” no concrete evidence supports this. Reports suggest Iran managed to secure critical equipment beforehand. The country still holds a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
2. Eliminating Key Scientists and Generals:
Although several Iranian military officials and scientists were killed early in the conflict, their roles were quickly filled, and Iran’s defense structure remained intact.
3. Destroying Nuclear Facilities:
According to Pentagon intelligence, the strikes did not dismantle Iran’s core nuclear infrastructure. At best, they delayed operations by a few months.
Iran Has Recovered—With Strength
Iran’s missile response was targeted and effective, striking oil refineries, power plants, and even military installations (according to Iranian claims). Israel’s strict censorship policy makes independent verification difficult.
In just 12 days, the damage Israel suffered exceeded years of conflict with Hezbollah or Hamas. For the first time, Israeli citizens witnessed destruction inside their own cities—something they had previously only seen in Gaza or Lebanon.
Iran’s Strength: Unity and Technology
Iran’s greatest assets are its national unity and technological self-reliance. Even amidst war, the Iranian population stood behind their government. Israel’s unilateral aggression only strengthened Iran’s internal cohesion.
Israel’s goal was to turn Iran into another Gaza—a heap of rubble. But U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected ceasefire announcement shattered that plan. Unlike Gaza, Israel couldn’t continue its assault unchecked in Iran. Netanyahu couldn’t defy Trump’s orders.
Israel’s New Geopolitical Reality
Israel once dominated the regional power narrative in the Middle East. Today, that landscape is shifting. Iran’s resistance, public unity, and a changing international order are forcing Israel to rethink its strategies.
This war has shown that true victory isn’t just about physical destruction—it lies in morale, national resolve, and global alignment.
Writer: Editorial Team, Najibul.com
Sources: Middle East analysts & international media reports
