The statistics of mutual loss and destruction have been widely covered through official statements as well as by third-party observers. They will not be repeated here!
Here is my general assessment of the conflict outcome:
1-The US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities is reported to have caused considerable damage, but not its total obliteration as claimed by President Trump. Iran’s nuclear-related structures appear to have survived the attack with repairable damage! Iran has reiterated its intent to continue uranium enrichment, stressing that it has the right to do so and that it is a matter of “national pride”. Nonetheless, Iran has not abandoned the negotiation table; a meeting was recently held in Istanbul with the E3 (France, Germany, UK). The overall situation regarding Iran’s nuclear program has not changed much after the Israeli and American attack. Thus, as Iran persists in the pursuit of its enrichment activities, as in the past, the future of Iran’s nuclear program will be the subject of protracted negotiations between Iran and its alternating counterparts (IAEA, USA, E3)!
Another effect of the joint Israeli-American assault is the probable increase in the number of those who argue that nuclear deterrence is a must for Iran’s national security. This may influence the future course of Iran’s thinking on developing a nuclear weapon!
2- The much-talked-about “regime change in Iran” presumably sought by Israel and the USA has also not materialized. Israel staged a massive attack targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, military and missile installations, and killed top generals and strategic personnel. However, the Iranian Establishment, despite all the human losses, damage, and destruction suffered, has shown resilience in the face of Israeli-American attacks. The people of Iran stood by their government and exhibited national solidarity in resisting the blatant aggression against their country. The Iranian Establishment is likely stronger today than before. Indeed, the outcome of the Israeli attack may result in a change of government in Israel itself, ending warmonger Prime Minister Netanyahu’s grip on power!
3-The conflict also demonstrated the fact that Iran retains retaliatory power despite all the international sanctions it faces. Iran successfully pierced Israel’s “Iron Dome” and (with forewarning to avoid human casualties) bombed an American base in Qatar! Israel must have learned a lesson, and the USA should have taken notice of what Iran can do.
4-The 12-day war underlined Israel’s impressive intelligence network in pinpointing high-value military and civilian targets. Whether all these assassinations that make headlines serve Israel’s objectives or not is very debatable! The elimination of some strategic figures was taken as an attack against their country by Iranian people, not just on the Establishment, as hoped by Israel. If anything, the killings served to unify the people in support of the Iranian Establishment!
5-The 12-day war has not brought any clarity or stability to the ever-tense situation in the region. To the contrary, the region today is more vulnerable and fragile, harboring continued armed conflicts. Israel and the USA are trouble-makers, and they must be stopped. The countries of the Middle East region must come together and take ownership of their problems; they must present a united front in favor of peace and stability."
By Dr. Osman faruk Logoglu, Former Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary and Member of the Grand National Assembly
