Iran’s October 1, 2024, missile and drone strike against Israel, joined by its proxies, did little beyond obligating Israel to expend missiles to take out incoming threats. Israel’s response, after three weeks of planning and multiple consultations with the United States and other allies, was more notable for what it avoided than for what it struck.

Israel skipped the most obvious—and most controversial—targets such as oil terminals and nuclear facilities. It did, however, do considerable damage to Iranian anti-aircraft defense capabilities, including its vaunted Russian S-300 systems. Israel’s measured response, therefore, both warned Iran against additional attacks and prepared the battlefield for follow-on strikes should (when) they become necessary.