Several American media are reporting an aerial drone attack launched by Israel against Iran, in promised response to Iran’s massive attack against the Jewish state last weekend. Iranian television also reports strong explosions in the central province of Isfahan, which is home to nuclear installations. Iran, which activated its anti-aircraft shield, assures for its part that it has shot down several mini-drones but has not suffered any major damage. According to several American officials, the United States was aware of this attack.
Information to remember
⇒ American media report a drone attack launched by Israel against Iran.
⇒ Explosions are reported in the central region of Isfahan in Iran, which is home to nuclear facilities.
⇒ According to Iran, its anti-aircraft defense has shot down “several micro-aerial vehicles” but no missile attacks have been reported.
Israel reportedly launches air attack on Iran
Israel has launched an attack against Iran, several media outlets in the United States said, citing American officials. ABC, CBS and CNN notably reported the strikes early Friday Middle East time. For the moment, Tehran has for its part reported three explosions that occurred at dawn on Friday near a military base in the province of Isfahan (center), reported the official Fars agency. Iranian State Television also reported “strong explosions”.
CNN clarified that the Israeli attack did not target nuclear facilities, again reporting an American official. Questioned by AFP, a spokesperson on duty at the Pentagon replied that they had “nothing to say at the moment”. The Israeli army told AFP that it had no comment “at the moment”.
Iranian air defense system activated, no missiles
Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, Iranian state media reported Friday morning. “Several micro aerial vehicles were successfully shot down by the country’s air defense, there were no “There has been no documentation of a missile attack so far,” Iran’s space agency spokesman said.
“At this time, there has been no air attack outside of Isfahan and in other regions of the country,” Hossein Dalirian also indicated in a message posted on X.
Israel had warned Washington of the attack
Washington was warned of the Israeli attack on Iran but neither approved the operation nor played any role in its execution, officials were quoted as saying by US media NBC and CNN. “We have not approved the response,” a US official said, according to CNN.
More broadly, the response was expected: Israel had warned that it would retaliate after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones into Israeli territory over the weekend. Most of them had been intercepted. This attack came following a raid against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, blamed on Israel. The Israeli army also announced Friday morning that warning sirens had been activated in northern Israel.
No major damage, nuclear installations safe
The official Iranian agency IRNA quickly affirmed that “no major damage” had been reported after the explosions. “No large-scale damage or explosions have been reported,” the agency said, based on information reported by its journalists.
Central Iran is home to several of Iran’s known nuclear sites. “Important installations, especially nuclear installations, are completely safe and no accidents have been reported there,” IRNA added.
Explosions in northern Syria
Explosions were also heard at dawn on Friday in southern Syria, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), with an online media activist reporting strikes on a position of radar the Syrian army. Israeli strikes regularly target positions of the Syrian army and pro-Iranian groups allied with the regime in Syria.
Australia calls on its nationals to leave Israel
Australia on Friday urged its nationals to leave Israel and the Palestinian territories after explosions were heard in Iran and Syria, raising fears of a regionalization of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Citing a “strong threat of military retaliation and terrorist attacks,” Canberra “urges Australians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to leave, if it is safe to do so.”
Disruption of flights from Tehran
Air connections resumed early Friday morning at Tehran’s two airports after being suspended, according to the official Irna agency.
The Emirati airline Flydubai n”anions, canceled its flights to Iran on Friday. “In application of the NOTAM published, our flights to Iran today have been canceled”, indicates this press release which refers to a ” notice to air missions”, a message issued by a civil aviation authority to inform airlines of flight restrictions or dangers.