United States officials revealed to US media outlets that Israel had launched an attack on a site within Iran. Iran reportedly shot down three drones over Isfahan, according to state media reports. Despite these claims, the Israeli army has refrained from commenting on the matter.
Explosions have been reported over Isfahan and Tabriz. Isfahan, a central Iranian city, is known to house nuclear program facilities, weapons factories, and a major airbase. The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) suggested that the aerial incursions may have involved mini-drones. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the IRGC, broadcasted video footage showing apparent safety and security at a nuclear site in Isfahan province. Senior commander Siavosh Mihandoust confirmed that no damage has been reported in Isfahan.
Iranian state TV has reported the sighting of three drones over Isfahan shortly after midnight, prompting the activation of the air defence system, which destroyed the drones. Travellers at the airport and residents elsewhere in the city reported hearing loud booms as air defence batteries engaged what were described as “suspicious objects” in the sky. The Iranian government has sought to downplay the scale of the assault.
Flights in several Iranian cities were briefly suspended. Passengers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport have been instructed to evacuate the premises. Detonations have also been reported in the sky over Tabriz.
The Biden administration disclosed that Israel informed Washington of an impending strike within 24 to 48 hours during a virtual session of the US-Israeli Strategic Consultative Group. Israeli regime officials assured their US counterparts that Iran’s nuclear facilities would not be targeted in the planned strike. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, refrained from commenting on the incident, stating that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations. US President Joe Biden reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from responding militarily to the Iranian attack. However, Netanyahu faced pressure from far-right coalition partners to mount a response.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and a joint G7 communique urged restraint and dialogue to prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
In its war on Gaza, Israel has killed nearly 34,000 Palestinians, including women and children, and wounded nearly 77,000 over the past six months.
An Iranian official, speaking to the New York Times, suggested that Iran believes the attack was carried out using small drones, possibly launched within Iran itself. Previous attacks inside Iran have been attributed to Israel, although Israeli officials have declined to comment publicly on the latest incident. However, several officials hinted at Israel’s involvement, suggesting that the attack was intended to demonstrate Israel’s capability to strike deep within Iran.
The recent drone attack follows Iran’s firing of more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian officials on 1 April.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised the limited scale of the retaliation, labelling it as “Feeble!” and signalling dissatisfaction with what some perceive as a restrained response.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that Iran will respond forcefully if Israel launches another attack. He described Sunday’s aerial assault on Israel as Iran’s “minimum response” and cautioned of a “decisive, definitive, and regretful” response if Israel strikes again, potentially escalating to a “maximum level” of retaliation.