Hidden dimensions of hybrid war against Iran
By Sajad Abedi
Political expert
The recent Israeli war against Iran, beyond the exchange of military fire, have revealed the hidden and profound dimensions of a failed “midnight coup”. Although here this term does not mean the classic overthrow of the government by domestic armed forces, it does well to illustrate the covert, surprise, and targeted nature of operations that are taking place with the aim of weakening, destabilizing, and changing the regime from within.
What we witnessed in the scene of the recent confrontation was a perfect demonstration of hybrid warfare. In this type of battle, the front lines are not clear and the fronts of conflict expand from the military to the intelligence, cyber, security, and psychological dimensions. The ultimate goal of the Zionist regime and some of its allies in this strategy is to achieve regime change in Iran, or at least to destabilize and severely weaken it by imposing pressure from within. In some analyses, even the goal of dismembering Iran is proposed as a desirable scenario in the long term. This battle, in relative news blackout and away from the eyes of the media, is secretly eroding and changing internal equations.
The “midnight coup” is a name that well describes the multifaceted and covert nature of these operations. These actions include a range of tactics, all of which are aimed at undermining the pillars of power and creating internal chaos.
One of the most striking aspects of this “coup” is the focus on eliminating influential and prominent individuals. The assassination of nuclear scientists, military commanders, and security officials not only seeks to destroy strategic capabilities, but also aims to create a power vacuum, shock, and demoralize the country’s decision-making and management system. These actions, just like a real coup, seek to decapitate the Islamic Establishment from above.
The covert nature of these operations and the lack of official accountability lend credence to the “midnight” term. In addition to physical assassination, targeting the country’s critical infrastructure through cyberattacks or sabotage operations is another part of this strategy. Disrupting power grids, transportation systems, or financial sectors means paralyzing a country’s lifelines. These actions, without requiring the physical presence of an attacker, can lead to public unrest, discontent, and even distrust in the effectiveness of government.
The media, especially social networks, has become the main battlefield of cognitive warfare. The dissemination of false news, rumors, and propaganda with the aim of creating despair and hopelessness, increasing dissatisfaction, and fueling social divisions were key goals. Exaggerating economic problems, magnifying corruption, and insinuating the inefficiency of the Islamic Establishment, all with the aim of eroding popular support and creating a platform for widespread protests, are part of this soft “coup”.
Some analyses indicate that the Zionist regime and its allies saw the recent military conflicts as a platform to provoke internal rebellions and transform popular dissatisfaction into widespread anti-government protests. It was thought that the initial attacks could lead to the start of a color revolution. Although this part of the plan failed and Iranians came together in solidarity against the external threat, this itself indicates the hidden and subversive dimensions of this confrontation.
The massive influx of arms aid to the Zionist regime after the so-called cease-fire broke down can also be analyzed in the context of this “midnight coup”. This aid is not only necessary to replenish the regime’s reserves and rebuild its military power after the conflict, but also serves as a strong deterrent message to Iran and its allies; a message that shows that the West’s support for the Zionist regime is firm and stable, and that the regime will be fully equipped for any future scenario.
In the face of this multifaceted and complex strategy, the Islamic Republic of Iran has also intensified its defense and intelligence strategies. Strengthening indigenous missile and drone capabilities to create deterrence, increasing security and intelligence measures to neutralize assassinations and sabotage, managing the psychological atmosphere and confronting enemy propaganda, and trying to maintain national cohesion and internal solidarity are among the most important tools to confront this “midnight coup”. The current confrontation is not a purely military battle; Rather, it is a complex and multi-layered war in which the front lines have been drawn from the battlefield to the public mind and the depths of society. Understanding the dimensions of this “midnight coup” and being vigilant against its hidden conspiracies is the key to victory in this silent battle.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Iran Daily’s editorial stance.