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There have been several explosions in Iran – according to observers, due to an Israeli attack. What was hit? How do Tehran and Jerusalem react? And what do military experts say about the events?
What happened?
The Iranian Fars news agency reported that three explosions were heard near the Shekari air base in northwest Isfahan province around 4 a.m. They reportedly occurred not far from a military base. Apparently there was no major damage. A spokesman for Iran’s space agency said several drones had been intercepted; There was no rocket attack. The New York Times also reports, citing sources in Iran, that small drones were used in the attack.
According to the US broadcaster CNN, which cites a government representative in Washington, the nuclear facilities in Isfahan were not the target of the alleged attack. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also gave the all-clear. The organization in Vienna reported that no Iranian nuclear facilities were damaged. And the Iranian news agency Tasnim described the nuclear facilities in Isfahan as “completely safe.”
As several media outlets report, this is an Israeli attack – in response to the shelling from Iran last weekend. This has not yet been officially confirmed. However, Israel has announced a response to the attack several times in recent days.
How does Tehran react?
According to state media, Iran activated air defense systems over several cities. Flights to Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and other airports in the west of the country were temporarily suspended, the Mehr news agency reported this morning.
However, Iran’s state media denied reports of missile attacks. The state news agency Irna reported that it was not a widespread attack. “A few hours ago, several small flying objects were spotted and hit in the sky of Isfahan,” a reporter said in a live broadcast on state television. Air traffic, which was briefly interrupted, has now been resumed. At the same time, the Iranian government rejected reports that the country’s Security Council had met for an emergency meeting.
How do Israel and the USA comment on the reports?
“We cannot comment at this time” on reports of attacks on Iran and Syria, the Israeli military told AFP. The White House and the Pentagon have not yet taken a position. Several US media outlets reported that Washington was informed in advance but neither approved nor participated in the Israeli attacks.
Why Isfahan?
The region around the city of the same name is home to important facilities for the Iranian defense industry, including factories for missile production. The country’s largest nuclear research center is also located near the cultural city with around two million inhabitants. At the end of January 2023, a Defense Ministry ammunition factory near the metropolis in Iran was attacked with several small aircraft. At the time, Iran blamed its arch-enemy Israel as the mastermind of the attack.
To say something Military experts?
According to a US media report, Israel wanted to show Tehran that it can attack targets in the country with the alleged air strike in Iran. According to US military expert Cedric Leighton, the action, which was “clearly a direct response to the Iranian attacks over the weekend,” is intended to prove that the Iranian air defense system does not have anywhere near the capabilities of the Israeli air defense system.
CNN military expert Mark MacCarley said: “The Israelis had to retaliate, but that retaliation also carried a message: ‘Yes, we can do it. Don’t do it again. If you do it again, chaos will ensue.’ .'”
What is the background?
Since the beginning of the war following the attack by the terrorist militia Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Iranian-backed armed groups in the region, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah, have repeatedly attacked Israel. An April 1 attack on an Iranian consular building in Damascus attributed to Israel killed seven members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
In retaliation, Tehran attacked Israel last weekend with more than 300 drones and missiles, almost all of which were intercepted. It was Iran’s first direct attack on its archenemy. Israel then announced a counterattack.