Pakistan, April 16 -- Saturday's five-hour-long barrage of Iranian missiles and drones towards Israel seemed to have marked the ultimate showdown in the wake of April 1 strikes by the latter.

Although a large number in the Muslim world cheered on Iran for finally showing the courage for not just tactical action but the determination to be seen taking action, there were many others urged restraint, warning that the Middle East stood at the edge of the precipice and could not afford yet another blown-out conflict.

The complex mission appeared to have been choreographed with a view to minimize casualties while maximising the impact. Israel's much-talked-about Iron Dome air defence system was already in action, but hours of advanced notice ...