Projectiles from Israel are said to have hit targets in Iran, several US media reported, citing sources. According to Middle East expert Anders Persson, the attack may have been carried out from inside Iran.
– There is information that Israel has done it before against Iran, says Persson.
On Friday morning, several major US media reported an Israeli attack on Iran, citing anonymous officials. Among others, AFP reported that at least three explosions were heard near an air base in Isfahan province.
It is unclear exactly how extensive the attack is and what was fired. Iran confirms that it shot down drones but denies that it was attacked by heavier weapons.
“No major damage has occurred,” according to a state news agency.
May have occurred from inside Iran
Anders Persson, Middle Eastern expert and political scientist at Linnaeus University, paints several scenarios about how the attack, which has not yet been confirmed, could have been carried out. One is that the drones have been launched from Iranian territory.
If Israel has flown drones, or sent missiles over the territory of various neighboring countries, it raises the question of whether it was done with the consent of the countries, which thus risk becoming Iran’s enemies, Persson believes. He mentions Jordan and Saudi Arabia as examples.
– If Israel violated the territory of some of the neighboring countries, there will be diplomatic complications, and if they have given their consent, they will become Iran’s enemies. How the attack took place is very exciting, he says in Nyhetsmorgon on Friday morning.
Third scenario
A third scenario is that Israel operated from military bases in Azerbaijan.
But the most likely scenario is that Israel carried out the attack from inside Iran, which has happened before, according to Persson.
– I would think that this originates inside Iran if I may guess at the moment. Precisely because you don’t want to interfere with the neighboring countries.
By all accounts, Israel will not take responsibility for the attack publicly, adds Persson.
– The reason why you don’t do it is to give the Iranian leaders a ramp from which you can climb down and at the same time keep your face somewhat intact.