The general view in the West is that Iran's attack on Israel was an abject failure.

Whether or not it was a genuine attempt to wound the Israeli state or just a billion-dollar

fireworks display, it didn't work. 99% of the drones and missiles were shot down by Israel's

allies and its Iron Dome. Israel looks tough again, Iran looks weak. And after months of rebukes from its allies over the

Gaza war, Israel's powerful friends have again made their allegiance clear. So what did Iran have to gain?

Well, first things first, the Iranian regime is loathed by its own people. Enemies mean survival.

It had to be seen to respond to the Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria,

and to those who could be say Iran has the right to defend itself, and America would respond with force,

which rock have you been living under? Iran has been poking the hornet's nest through proxies for years.

Hezbollah attacks Israel from Lebanon and the north, the Houthis in Yemen, have attacked vessels in the Red Sea more than 60 times in the last

six months alone.

Hamas began its diabolical war in Gaza by invading Israel with Iran's funding and full-throated

support.

Fundamentally, Iran doesn't believe Israel has a right to exist.

It wants to encircle the country with paramilitary groups and ultimately dominate the

region. But like all pariah states, it profits from chaos. Unlike all dictatorships, its people suffer

the most. So what should the Western world do about it? Is this a moment for appeasement or power?

Did the attack throw Netanyahu a lifeline? And how will the changing political winds impact the war on Gaza,

where millions now face a famine? In a moment, we'll debate those big questions with Mustafa Barguti,

Fleur Hassan Nahum and Francesca Fiorentini. But first, with a view from Tehran, Professor Muhammad

Mirandi joins me, who was previously an advisor to Iran's nuclear negotiations team.

Professor Miranda, thank you very much indeed for joining me on Unsensid.

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