The news cycle has been dominated by Iran’s retaliatory attack against Israel for the Jewish state’s demolishing of their consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus—which killed 13, including two Iranian generals—but the reality on the ground is that the assault had little effect and was largely impotent.

This is not to say the terrorist-sponsoring nation is not a threat, because they most certainly are—but this assault was a total fail as Israel, the U.S., and other allied nations were able to neutralize approximately 99 percent of the over 300 missiles and drones the Islamic Republic sent toward Israel in its attack.

Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel overnight Saturday, in response to Israel’s deadly bombing of an Iranian consulate. Israel said it thwarted 99 percent of the incoming projectiles and urged the U.N. to impose all possible sanctions against Iran. pic.twitter.com/X2LquVZdeO

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 15, 2024

The assault, which was telegraphed in advance, was almost entirely neutralized:

Air raid sirens and loud booms sounded across Israel Saturday evening after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones at the country in a retaliatory attack, but Israeli officials said the assault was almost entirely thwarted by air defense systems and with the help of the U.S. and Israel's other allies.  

More than 300 missiles and drones were fired from Iran toward Israel, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. He said virtually all of the weapons were intercepted before entering Israeli territory and he reported only minor damage to one military base from the few ballistic missiles that did land in the country. Hagari confirmed that a 10-year-old girl had been "severely injured by shrapnel," but said "as far as we know, there are no additional casualties."

As we've reported, Iran quickly announced the conflict was over, even before the last projectiles had entered Israeli airspace. The only conclusion one can take from this is they felt they had to answer for the Israeli actions to save face but were terrified of a war with that nation. Why? Because Israel's air force would decimate the aging aircraft of Iran and further embarrass the bellicose but toothless leaders. Yes, they can still wreak havoc by endorsing terroristic acts, as they've done so often in the past, but in a serious war with Israel, they'd probably get their hats handed to them. 

And they know it. 

The attacks were largely ineffective:

"The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, along with a strong fighting coalition — which together intercepted the overwhelming majority of the threats. 99% of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted — a very significant strategic achievement," Hagari said....

"Very little damage was caused," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement early Sunday, lauding his own forces and Israel's American and other international partners for having "thwarted this attack in an impressive manner."

Hagari said Iran launched about 170 drones, of which "zero crossed into Israeli territory." He said every one of the 30 cruise missiles fired by Iran also failed to reach Israeli territory, with 25 being intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.

Overnight, the world saw the true face of Iran – a terrorist state that attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles and UAVs.

The world also saw the power of the IDF and the power of a coalition - Israel, the U.S. and partners, thwarted this attack in a way that is unparalleled.

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) April 14, 2024

Iran remains an extremely serious enemy to Israel, the United States, and the civilized world as a whole, and they did not unleash the full scale of their capability in this assault. But in this attack, they failed—unless their goal was to turn much of world opinion against them. What remains to be seen is Israel's response: will they hit back hard or try to defuse hostilities?

More Iran:

Nat'l Security Communications Advisor Kirby Ridiculously Tries to Shift Blame for Iran Fiasco Onto Trump

Sen. John Kennedy Wrecks Biden Over Iran Appeasement, 'Go to Amazon and Buy a Spine Online'

WATCH: US and Israel Intercept 'Dozens' Drones/Missiles, Including Over Temple Mount