In response to the unprecedented missile and drone attack by Iran last weekend, Israel conducted strikes on Thursday night as a clear message to Tehran. The aim of these strikes, according to experts, was not to immediately escalate the Middle Eastern war but to demonstrate Israel's capabilities and put Iran on notice.

Reports indicate that the Israeli strike targeted a major airbase in the central city of Isfahan, which is home to approximately 2 million people. The strike also hit near the Natanz uranium enrichment site, which has previously been targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that Israel's intention was to showcase their ability to breach Iranian air defense at any time while avoiding a response from Tehran. The choice of Isfahan as the target was meant to send a clear message to Iran that if Israel wanted to destroy their nuclear program, they could do so.

According to Goldberg, the events of last Saturday night mark a paradigm shift in the region. He believes that Iran has crossed a point of no return, which will have long-term implications. These actions by Iran have also reportedly influenced Israel's decision-making process, increasing the likelihood of striking Iran's nuclear facilities in the near future.

Israel has been engaged in a direct war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Hamas launched a deadly attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 1,200 people, including 33 Americans. While Iran has historically supported Hamas, it had never before attacked Israel from its own territory. This recent action by Iran has impacted the interpretation of the ongoing conflict by Western governments.

Jonathan Schanzer, Middle East expert and senior vice president for research at FDD, stated that going forward, Israel will continue to face multiple threats from Iranian proxies including Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. This will require Israel to expand its strategy beyond solely dealing with Hamas.

In terms of diplomatic implications, Iran's strike on Israel has surprisingly "lowered the temperature" with the United States, according to Elliot Abrams, a senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. However, it remains uncertain what will happen when Israel initiates action in Rafah, which Abrams predicts could happen after Passover ends on April 30.

The magnitude of Iran's attack has emphasized the importance of the relationship between Israel and the US. The Israeli retaliation, one that does not escalate the conflict, has garnered appreciation from the US administration, signaling potential cooperation moving forward.

As the region navigates these developments, experts suggest that the wider war between Iran and Israel is inevitable and has been declared some time ago. The events of the past week have significantly altered the dynamics, and the consequences of these actions remain to be seen as Israel seeks to deal with Hamas and its other regional adversaries.