TEHERAN

LAST MONTH HOSSEIN Salami, leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said that if Israel attacked his country, Teheran would “open the gates of hell”. Yesterday, Israel killed him with a missile strike. Among many missile strikes.

For much of its life, the Islamic Republic has talked a great game, and yet failed to equal it on the pitch. Hyperbole is a poor substitute for superior weaponry. Words are hopelessly inadequate to the task of fighting wars. Israel is a weapons superpower. Iran is a moderate regional power that extends its reach through guerrilla groups and pick-up truck armies. It looks big, it talks big, but it shoots small. Israel looks small, talks modest and shoots colossal.

Iran may well open the gates of hell. Who goes through those gates will depend on weaponry, not words.