Israel strikes at the heart and fist of the Iranian regime

Following new barrages of Iranian ballistic missiles against Israeli territory, Israel attacked targets in Iran on Monday, carrying enormous practical and symbolic weight that goes beyond its nuclear and ballistic missile plans. These included internal militias of the Revolutionary Guard and the clock the regime placed in Palestine Square, counting down to the destruction of Israel, predicted for 2040.

Given that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keen to end the offensive in Iran within days, following the victory achieved by the Air Force and the Mossad and completed by the United States last Saturday, the strikes could be seen as a way to pressure Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to accept a deal . Others, however, speculate that targeting the "iron fist" that the Revolutionary Guard employs at home—and not its foreign arm—is a nod to Iranians eager to end 46 years of theocracy.

Israel has not added the fall of the regime to its two major stated objectives of Operation Rising Lion , launched on June 13 (neutralizing the threat of the nuclear and ballistic missile plan), but it would applaud it as an effect of the operation. A possibility publicly desired by some ministers and previously mentioned by US President Donald Trump: "If the current Iranian regime cannot Make Iran Great Again, why wouldn't there be regime change? CRUM!!!" That is, Make Iran Great Again , a clear allusion to the movement associated with the US Republicans.

"For every attack against the Israeli rearguard, the Iranian dictator will be punished, and the attacks will continue with force," warned Defense Minister Israel Katz, referring to the dozen missiles fired yesterday morning by Iran, which caused several injuries in the south, center, and north of the country.

In response, Israel has carried out one of its most intense attacks since the offensive began 12 days ago, striking what remains of Iran's nuclear program and the assets of the Revolutionary Guard, including those dedicated to controlling and repressing its citizens.

On the one hand, Israel has bombed access points to the Fordow underground nuclear plant, attacked this weekend by the United States in an intervention described in Israel as "historic," in anticipation of the possibility of ending Iran's nuclear program after nearly 30 years of surveillance, 11 days of airstrikes, and 20 years of sabotage by the Mossad. "Just moments ago, the aggressor enemy attacked the Fordow nuclear site again. There will be no danger or threat to the citizens," the Qom Provincial Crisis Management Headquarters reported.

"We have attacked the entrances along the route to prevent soldiers from accessing the facility and from bringing in or removing material," confirmed Israeli sources, who also acknowledged the attack on a military vehicle approaching the sensitive area. Beyond ensuring its obstruction, Israel continues to analyze the results of the bombing of Fordow ordered by Trump. One only has to look at the front pages of the Hebrew-language newspapers to understand the significance they give to the attack, which was preceded by an Israeli action against the anti-aircraft defenses in that area. Not only because of the physical damage to the plant, but also because of the psychological effect on the region, as it becomes clear that Israel's great ally is helping it stop missiles, but also intervening offensively.

Meanwhile, in an intense wave of attacks in Tehran, the Air Force has targeted Khamenei regime headquarters, particularly those of the Revolutionary Guard, including bases, barracks, and ministries such as the Interior and Security.

The most significant target, perhaps looking ahead to the day after the war, was the entrance to Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, which was hit by drones. It is one of the great symbols of Iranian repression, where opponents and foreigners are imprisoned. For years, the opposition and international NGOs have denounced the torture of political prisoners.

Iranian authorities acknowledged the attack—described as a "Zionist aggression"—on parts of the prison complex, but clarified that they have the situation under control and that there were no escapes.

Attaching a photo of Evin prison to the X network, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar resorted to the famous Spanish-language slogan of Argentina's president and close ally, Javier Milei: "We have warned Iran time and again: Stop attacking civilians! They continued, even this morning. Our response: Long live freedom, damn it! "

Another target attacked is the headquarters of the Basij , a feared militia made up of volunteers and dependent on the Revolutionary Guard, responsible, among other functions, for suppressing internal protests, such as those in the past in favor of democracy or against the mandatory wearing of the veil.

Katz announced that his army was attacking "with unprecedented force regime and government repressive forces targets in the heart of Tehran, including the Basij headquarters, Evin Prison for political prisoners and regime opponents, the Destruction of Israel clock in Palestine Square, the Revolutionary Guard's internal security headquarters, the Ideology headquarters, and other regime targets." However, it is not clear that the famous clock has stopped ticking.