Iran says attack on US was 'symbolic'

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A new report from New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi reveals a potential game-changer in the story of Iran’s recent missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar. According to Fassihi’s reporting, Iran gave advance notice of the attack to reduce or avoid American casualties, suggesting a calculated effort to send a message without provoking a full-scale military response.

Fassihi says three Iranian officials who are close to the situation said the assault on the American base was only symbolic, as they needed to strike back, but at the same time, find a way to carry it out so there would be so-called “exit ramps” available for all sides of the conflict.

The officials compared the operation to one conducted in 2020, when Iran sent Iraq an advanced notice before launching a bevy of ballistic missiles at an American base located in the country after the U.S assassinated its top general.

Fassihi shared a post by Ronen Bergman, who wrote, “Qatar said that its air defenses had intercepted the missiles and condemned the Iranian attack. The Defense Department said there were no reports of U.S. casualties at the base, Al Udeid.”

“The strike stoked fears that the conflict with Iran could intensify, drawing in the United States further and expanding it across the region. Al Udeid Air Base serves as the forward headquarters for the U.S. Central Command, and was considered a prime potential target for Iranian retaliation after the U.S. strikes over the weekend,” Bergman said.

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings shared Fassihi’s article, writing, “If true, complete and total capitulation and vindication of President Trump’s strategy here.”
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I get the impression that Iran made the strike for internal purposes and not to provoke a response from the US.