War in the Middle East
Is this Israel’s retaliation? What is known about the explosions in Iran – and what is not
Downtown Isfahan: Iran has activated its air defense after explosions near the metropolis
© Uncredited / AP / DPA
Who is responsible for the explosions in Iran? A few hours after the incident near the city of Isfahan, much is unclear. An overview of the still confusing situation.
Will the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip now become a conflagration in the Middle East? At the weekend he had Iran carried out a direct attack on Israel for the first time. Israel, with the support of its allies, intercepted most of the more than 300 missiles and drones launched by Iran and announced a response. There have now been three explosions near the Iranian metropolis of Isfahan. What is currently known.
What happened?
According to Iranian state media, there were several explosions in the central Iranian province of Isfahan on Friday night. According to reports, these occurred not far from a military base. Iranian state television reported that three drones were spotted over Isfahan shortly after midnight.
According to US media, Israeli missiles are said to have hit a facility. However, the authorities in Iran rejected this report. A senior Iranian army commander said no damage was caused. The commander said the noise that could be heard during the night was due to the air defense, according to state television. This was aimed at a “suspicious object”. According to the Iranian space agency, there was initially no information about a missile attack.
How did Iran react?
A spokesman for Iran’s space agency said several drones had been “successfully shot down.” According to Irna, air defense was activated in several provinces of the country.
Air traffic was also stopped in large parts of the country. The Mehr news agency reported that flights to Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz, as well as to airports in the west, northwest and southwest, had been suspended. The United Arab Emirates airline flydubai canceled its flights to Iran on Friday. Irna later reported that air traffic in Tehran had resumed.
Why Isfahan of all places?
Important facilities for the Iranian defense industry are located in the metropolis over four hundred kilometers south of Tehran. The country’s largest nuclear research center is also located in the cultural city. According to the radio, there was no danger to the nuclear facilities there. The nuclear facilities in Isfahan province are “completely safe,” reports the Tasnim news agency, citing “reliable sources.” Reports of an incident at these facilities are false.
Who is responsible for the explosions?
This is currently unclear. Several US media outlets, including ABC and CBS News, reported, citing US government officials, that the attacks were carried out by Israel. The country responded to the Iranian attack at the weekend. Israel had previously warned against responding to the Iranian attack over the weekend.
CNN quoted a US government official as saying that the aim of the Israeli attack was not nuclear. The US broadcasters NBC and CNN reported, with reference to government circles, that the USA had been informed of the alleged Israeli attack, but had neither approved nor participated in the action. There was no immediate comment from the White House.
What suggests that Israel is behind this?
Since the massacre on October 7, 2023, Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip with the stated goal of destroying the Palestinian organization. Iran is a key supporter of Hamas and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
Crisis region
Who actually pursues what goal in the Middle East?
Over the weekend, Israel, with the support of its allies, had to defend itself against more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.
What do Israel and Iran say about the incident?
The Israeli military told the AFP news agency that it had “no comment at this time.”
At the same time, the Iranian government rejected reports that the Security Council had met for an emergency meeting. There has so far been no direct apportionment of blame.