The Iranian leadership “don’t really care” about the damage to Iran or its people because they believe they are fighting a “holy war”, says military analyst Michael Clarke.
“They don’t care that Iran is on its knees, that the population is completely cowed by their terror, because they’re just holding onto power.
“And remember they are holding onto power because they think that they’ve been placed there by God in order to do that.
“For them, this is a holy war of survival of the revolution, which is sanctified by God.”
Clarke is referring to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini oust the country’s pro-Western monarchy and establish an Islamic Republic.
“So they will do anything. If Iran is on its knees at the end of this process, then that must be God’s will.”
Number of people killed in Lebanon rises to 850
The number of people killed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 28 February has increased to 850, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The number of people killed in other nations across the conflict include:
- 1,300 in Iran
- 13 US troops
- 12 people in Israel
- Six people reportedly in UAE
- One person in Bahrain
- One person in Kuwait
Israeli foreign minister vows to continue war
Israel’s foreign minister says Israel and the US will continue to fight the war until they achieve their objectives.
“We want to remove the existential threats from Iran for the long term. We don’t want to go every year to another war,” says Gideon Saar.
His comments come as Israeli media reports a fragment of an Iranian missile struck a residential building used by the US consul in Israel.