Once again, the security landscape in the Middle East was shaken by a sudden air strike. Recently, Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale air strike on Israel, in which the Nevatim airbase, located in the heart of the Negev desert, became the focus of the attack. According to credible intelligence, at least seven hypersonic missiles fired by Iran hit the base with precision, shattering Israel's claimed interception myth and exposing potential vulnerabilities in its air defense system.
The strategic value of Nevatim Air Base is self-evident, as it is not only the home base of the Israeli Air Force's most sophisticated F-35 fighter detachment, but also the starting point for many Israeli cross-border strikes. The attack is undoubtedly a direct challenge to Israel's military deterrence and Iran's-for-tat response to Israel's previous airstrikes on its embassy in Syria.
The Chief of the IDF General Staff, Al-Halevy, was on the scene immediately after the airstrike, announcing that Israel's wartime cabinet had agreed to strike back strongly against Iran with a thunderbolt. To this end, the entire Israeli army has been put on high alert, with large-scale redeployment of reserve forces and adjustments to front-line deployments with a view to launching a new round of military operations in Gaza. It is worth noting that even as Israel prepares to fight back, it still does not forget to seek deep involvement of the United States and clearly express its determination to fight side by side with the Biden administration.
The attitude of the United States on this matter is rather subtle. Despite its efforts to reassure Israel and provide technical support for its interception of Iranian missiles, the U.S. government is well aware that Israel's retaliation could drag itself into chaos in the Middle East. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the immediate aftermath of the strikes, conveying the U.S. assessment that Iran's airstrikes had not had the desired effect, and urging Israel to accept victory rather than exacerbate regional tensions. However, the facts revealed that the United States had been in control of Iran's plan of action days before the attack, and that many countries had confirmed that there was deep coordination between the United States and Israel in the operation of air defense and anti-missile systems.
At this moment, the US strategic chess game in the Middle East is facing a huge test. On the one hand, full support for Israel means that the United States has to divide its forces in the Middle East at a critical moment in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which may affect the intensity of military aid to Ukraine, thereby increasing Russia's advantage on the battlefield; on the other hand, Israel's hardline attitude and actions may provoke a strong backlash from the Islamic world, causing a sense of alienation among key allies such as Saudi Arabia, and then shaking the foundation of US influence in the Middle East; not to mention, Iran has the ability to mobilize multiple regional proxy forces in the short term, and once the conflict between the United States and Iran escalates, the United States will be plunged into another protracted war。
In the face of the intricate chess game in the Middle East, another important player on the world stage, China, has spoken out. Mainland Foreign Minister Wang Yi held high-level phone calls with Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries, emphasizing that China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, advocating resolving contradictions through dialogue, and resolutely opposing any form of escalation of conflicts. China's unique stance and positive actions on the Middle East issue have undoubtedly injected positive energy into regional peace and provided a new perspective for the reconstruction of the world order.