Iran attacks US Base: Experts Say Iran's Fierce Response Surprised the World

Following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, defense experts are now weighing in on the intense 12-day conflict that had brought the world to the brink of a potential nuclear escalation. Retired Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni, speaking to ABP News, highlighted that Iran's immediate and fierce retaliation to US airstrikes on its nuclear sites was unexpected and caught many by surprise. When the US targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, it may have underestimated Tehran’s capacity and willingness to respond.Kulkarni further explained that any expectations of forcing a regime change in Iran from outside were deeply flawed. “Regime change is something only the people of Iran can decide. No external force can impose it,” he remarked. He emphasized that the forceful Iranian response, including missile strikes on US military bases in Qatar, Iraq, and Syria, showed Tehran’s strategic depth and national resolve.According to Kulkarni, these developments likely prompted all parties, including the US, to reconsider the consequences of continued escalation, ultimately leading to the ceasefire. The conflict, which began with a dramatic Israeli strike on June 13, has now paused—but global experts stress that the situation remains volatile and must be handled with caution.