In the wee hours of Friday morning, a military base near Isfahan in Iran was struck, but not the nearby nuclear site. There appear to be no casualties or substantial damage. Israeli sources said that the attack was “carefully calibrated.” Iran claimed it was carried out by unmanned craft, possibly drones. The Iranians acknowledged the attack but said they didn’t know where it came from.” They said they have no plans to respond, for now.

The Israeli message on Supreme Leader Khamenei’s 85th birthday is: “we can greet you, unnoticeable and unstoppable, anytime.” And therefore we can beat you, at will.

The delivery was subtle, evidently in keeping with Israeli commitments to its allies. Israeli pundits quipped that is was not so much a message as an SMS.

There are some reports that the attacks came from within Iran, possibly from Israeli agents within its country, or its from anti-government allies. Other reports explosions in the sky in Isfahan and elsewhere.

The strategic thinking in Israel goes something like this. The unprecedented Iranian strike on Israel last Saturday night could not go unanswered. But the attack was a complete failure in outcomes, and only improved Israeli deterrency and its strategic position. So, as Joe Biden (in a rare moment of bo doubt scripted clarity) advised and “took the win.”

The benefits of restraint are many. In exchange for “holding its horses,” Israel has apparently won at least limited backing for an operation to finish Hamas in Gaza, even though the American remain unenthusiastic and unconvinced that the Israeli plan for humanitarian clearing is workable.

Israel retained its new-found allies. Holding back on escalation bought time for Israel to focus on Hamas and Hezbollah, while putting pressure on the Americans, UK and Europe to reimpose sanctions and diplomatic moves against Iranian aggression.

Another proof of the value of restraint was shown earlier in the evening by the US veto of a UN Security Resolution calling for admission of Palestine as a full member state. Israel does not want to stand alone as long as there are better options available.