A limited Israeli attack on Iran could help spur regional understanding

Israel’s attack on Iran early Saturday, coordinated with Washington and limited to missile and air defense sites, was more restrained than many expected and could help diplomatic efforts to return hostages and reduce fighting in both Lebanon and Gaza.

Israel held off until U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Washington after four days of consultations with Israeli and Arab allies.

In a series of sorties under cover of darkness and possibly over hostile territories, including Syria and Iraq, dozens of Israeli warplanes flew thousands of kilometers. Air-refueling, they targeted military facilities in three provinces in retaliation for Iran’s October 1 firing of ballistic missiles at Israel.