"A Fatal Mistake": Tehran Warns Israel of Total Defeat if Missile Sites Are Targeted

As the shadow of a new war looms over the Middle East, the Iranian state press has significantly intensified its rhetoric, framing Israel as a regime under immense psychological pressure. In Tehran, local newspapers are working to flip the narrative, presenting Iran's military capabilities as a primary source of fear for the Israeli leadership. Recent headlines and front page imagery, which often depict a red map of Israel under an Iranian hand, reflect a deliberate effort to project superiority and deterrence ahead of any potential escalation.

The conservative newspaper Vatan-e-Emrouz led its morning edition with a feature titled "The Burnt Operation," claiming that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent moves are nothing more than psychological warfare. The publication argued that Israeli media and analysts have launched a campaign to coordinate a joint strike with the Trump administration during Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the United States. According to the article, the Zionists are using the rapid reconstruction of Iran’s missile program as a pretext for a new military assault. The paper warned that if the Zionist regime attacks again to hit missile facilities, this attack will be a fatal mistake, and this war will undoubtedly turn into a shaming defeat for Netanyahu. They further claimed that Israel has hesitated to strike because its military is unable to restrain Iran’s defensive missile power.

Other major outlets like Arman-e Melli focused on the relationship between Tehran and Washington, highlighting that the nuclear issue remains the central focus of dispute. The paper noted that while Iran claims its nuclear program is civil and legal, the United States continues to demand tighter supervision, a gap that blocks any comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, Etemad Online and other regional observers pointed out that Iranian officials see American involvement in Gaza, Lebanon, and the Red Sea as part of a broader war, warning that any escalation will be met with a response.

Perhaps the most aggressive framing came from the newspaper Asr-e Qanoon, which featured a hand hovering over a map of Israel. The headline declared that Iran is to the left and right of the Zionists, a message suggesting that Iran has surrounded Israel geographically, through intelligence, and psychologically. The report included quotes from former intelligence figures to suggest that a constant sense of threat has seeped into the daily lives of Israeli security personnel.

Benny Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), told N12 that there are currently no voices in Iran calling for restraint. He explained that the regime is in a state of perceived victory, with the Supreme Leader himself repeatedly claiming that Iran has delivered strong blows to Israel. Sabti warned that the regime is lying to itself about the military achievements of the war, making the situation very dangerous. He noted that while the regime wants to go on another adventure, a recent survey suggested that 92% of the Iranian public is against the government. Interestingly, some of the public may even prefer a war with Israel if it leads to the eventual weakening or collapse of the current regime.