Israel Conducts Strike in Iran, Confirmed by US Official
In a potentially escalatory move, Israel has reportedly conducted a military strike inside Iran, according to a US official. The attack is said to have taken place near the city of Isfahan, as blasts were heard early Friday morning. Iranian government officials have sought to downplay the incident, while the US was given advance notification but did not endorse the response.
Iran’s air defense systems were activated after three explosions were heard near a major military airbase. State media reported that Iranian air defenses intercepted three drones, and there were no reports of a missile attack. The source of the strike has not been identified by Iran. Multiple state-aligned news agencies have reported that sites associated with Iran’s nuclear program were secure, and the attack appeared to be limited in scope.
Senior military commander Second Brigadier General Mihandoust stated that there was “no damage” and the noises heard overnight were due to air defense systems targeting a “suspicious object.” Iranian media appeared to minimize the scale of the attack, showing calm scenes from Isfahan and reporting normal traffic and reopened airports.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that if Israel takes further military action against Iran, its response would be “immediate and at a maximum level.” Tensions in the region have been high following Iran’s direct strike on Israel, during which more than 300 drones and cruise missiles were launched. This attack was in response to a suspected Israeli strike in Damascus that killed a top commander.
Separately, material losses were reported in southern Syria after an Israeli strike targeted air defense sites. The Israeli military did not provide comments on these reports. Prior to Friday’s Israeli strike in Iran, the US expected that Israel would not target civilian or nuclear facilities.
Israel’s action in Iran is the latest in a series of escalatory moves in the region. Israel has been engaged in a devastating war in Gaza, following Hamas’ attack that killed over 1,200 people. The bombardment and siege of Gaza have caused widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s Western allies have rallied to its defense in the wake of Iran’s attack, while also urging restraint. US President Joe Biden advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider Iran’s strikes as a win, as they were largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s ability to defend itself. The US has made it clear that it will not participate in offensive operations against Iran in response to the attack.
Overall, tensions remain high in the Middle East, with both Israel and Iran engaging in military strikes. The situation is delicate, and calls for restraint have been made by various parties, including Israel’s allies. The international community will closely monitor developments and hope for a de-escalation of the conflict in the region.
[Note: This article is based on information provided by CNN. The information may be subject to change as more details emerge.]
