PNN – January 8, 2019, was a turning point in the history of international relations and the balance of power in West Asia. The successful launch of ballistic missiles from Iranian soil towards the Ain al-Assad air base was not only a strong military response, but also the breaking of a 70-year taboo that had shadowed the world since World War II.
As the first government in decades to directly and formally target U.S. military positions, Iran proved to the world that the era of “hit and run” was over. It shattered the illusion of the U.S. military’s immunity from retaliation and demonstrated that the geography of power was changing.
Technological precision on the battlefield
The precise strike of domestically manufactured missiles at the heart of the ultra-advanced American base sent a technical and strategic message to Washington’s war rooms: Your defensive shield is powerless against Iran’s indigenous will and knowledge. This precision defined a new level of deterrence that was challenged beyond media slogans and into action.
Security from the path of authority
Contrary to the fearful analyses that saw a military response as a prelude to war, Iran’s assertive action at Ain al-Assad changed the enemy’s calculations and prevented a full-scale conflict. This historic event proved that in the face of international bullying, only the language of “authority” can guarantee lasting peace and security.
The legacy of the Soleimani School
In the geography of resistance, Iran’s tough response was the first practical step towards fulfilling the sincere promise to expel the occupying forces from the region. Today, the resistance front, inspired by the courage of that historic night, has reached a level of self-confidence that leaves no threat unanswered anywhere in the region.
Ain al-Assad was not just a military operation, but a manifestation of the national will under the wise guidance of the Supreme Leader. This event showed the world that Iran is a powerful country, an impenetrable barrier against any adventurism, and that the era of imposing arrogant wills on independent nations is over.