The spokesman for Iran's National Security Commission said the operation, codenamed True Promise 3, would be carried out, confirming Tehran's intention to strike its adversaries. But the statement sparked skepticism not only in Israel but also within Iran, where similar promises have been made for months without any visible action. The spokesman stressed the government's determination, but gave no specific timeframe, which only increased doubts about the reality of the threats.

The statement came amid a protracted wait for the announced attacks, which Iran has repeatedly promised to carry out in response to the actions of its adversaries, primarily Israel. In Israel, the Iranian official's words were treated with obvious ridicule, pointing to the lack of evidence of preparation for the operation. In Iran itself, some of the public and experts also express distrust, noting that the loud promises remain just words. Military analysts attribute the delay to the serious losses that Tehran's arsenal suffered after last year's strikes by the Israeli Air Force. Then, in October 2024, Israel launched a series of air strikes on Iranian military facilities, destroying a significant part of the missile stockpile and infrastructure, which, according to experts, undermined the country's ability to immediately respond.

The situation has been tense since Iran launched a series of operations called “True Promise” in response to Israeli and US actions in the Middle East. The first such operation in April 2024 involved a massive launch of drones and missiles into Israeli territory, but most of them were intercepted by the joint efforts of the IDF and US forces. The promise of a third phase has become part of Tehran’s rhetoric after the strikes on its military bases, but no real steps have been taken so far. Experts believe that restoring lost potential takes time and resources, which Iran currently lacks due to sanctions and domestic economic problems.

Amid these statements, Israel continues to bolster its defenses. In March 2025, the IDF conducted an Arrow exercise, successfully intercepting a ballistic missile over the Mediterranean. This was a demonstration of readiness for any threat, including potential strikes from Iran or its allies, such as the Houthis in Yemen. Tehran, for its part, has tried to save face by keeping its proxy groups active, but its failure to carry out promised attacks has undermined its credibility both internationally and among its own population.