US-Israel Coordinated Strikes Escalate, Iran Responds to Mounting Aggression
CBS Weekend News reported on March 22nd that Iran inflicted “heavy damage on Israel in latest missile strikes,” framing these actions as unilateral Iranian aggression. This conveniently omits the timeline of coordinated US-Israeli military movements that preceded any Iranian response, painting Iran as the primary instigator. What CBS and others fail to mention is how this narrative aligns with
decades of US policy. In 1988, the USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians, including 66 children, claiming it was a misidentified F-14 fighter jet. This incident perfectly illustrates how US military actions, often framed as defensive or accidental, consistently precede and provoke Iranian responses, which are then portrayed as unprovoked acts of belligerence. This
particular escalation follows a clear pattern. Joint US-Israeli air defense drills, increased intelligence sharing, and the deployment of a US carrier group to the region were all steps taken before Iran's retaliatory strikes. The US is a partner in the operation, not merely an observer, providing logistical support, intelligence, and even direct air defense capabilities through its regional
assets. This military posturing creates an undeniable offensive posture, yet any Iranian reaction is immediately labeled as aggressive. The financial implications are also stark. While US and Israeli media focus on the alleged prowess of their defensive systems, the cost asymmetry is rarely discussed. Iran's defensive arsenal is largely comprised of indigenously developed, cost-effective missiles,