calls for serenity after the alleged Israeli attack on Iran

International leaders urged calm on Friday after explosions in a central region were reported by Iranian state television, adding to months of anxious fallout from the war in Gaza and suspected Israeli retribution against Iran.

Iranian and Israeli authorities downplayed the importance of the strike and refrained from making any public remarks about it.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, dismissed the operation as a “desperate attempt to make a victory out of their repeated defeats” and claimed that no lives had been lost or property had been damaged by the Israeli microdrones deployed in it.

However, the threat of direct conflict between the bitter enemies of the Middle East shook global markets, causing fluctuations in the values of gold, oil, and stocks.

Nearly a week ago, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in revenge for a devastating airstrike that was largely believed to have been carried out by Israel on April 1. The attack destroyed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and claimed the lives of seven Revolutionary Guards. Israel had threatened to retaliate.

There had been retaliatory Israeli attacks, a senior US Congressional source told AFP, but he would not elaborate since they were classified.

Iran turned on its air defense systems over many cities after state television claimed to have heard explosions close to the city of Isfahan, according to official media.

The “strike” was revenge for Iran’s drone and missile onslaught and was meant to show that Israel could strike inside Iran, an unnamed Israeli source told The Washington Post.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency refuted reports that it had been targeted outside, citing “informed sources”.

According to Tasnim, “there are no reports of an attack from abroad, contrary to the rumours and claims” made in international media.

According to three Iranian officials who spoke to The New York Times, the “attack” was likely carried out by tiny drones that were fired from inside Iran, and radar had not picked up any suspicious aircraft that had entered Iranian airspace.

“Three explosions” at Qahjavarestan, between the 8th Shekari army airfield and Isfahan airport, were reported by the Fars news agency.

According to Hossein Dalirian, spokesperson for Iran’s space department, there was “a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quadcopters, which were shot down”.

On social networking site X, Dalirian said that there were “no reports of a missile attack”.

The official IRNA news agency said, “Reports indicate there was no major damage or large explosions caused by the impact of any air threat.”

On April 19, 2024, after the Friday midday prayer in Tehran, Iranians congregate and wave the flags of Iran and Palestine during an anti-Israel protest.
Following an Israeli strike, Iran activates its air defense batteries at the nuclear and aviation facility in Isfahan.
On April 19, 2024, after the Friday midday prayer in Tehran, Iranians congregate and wave the flags of Iran and Palestine during an anti-Israel protest.
Israel decides to respond to Iran’s strike and hopes for a modest escalation: David Cameron, the foreign minister of the United Kingdom
nuclear sites unharmed

Abdolrahim Mousavi, the head of Iran’s army, said that “the firing of anti-aircraft defence systems on a suspicious object” was the cause of Friday’s explosions.

According to Tasnim, there has been “no damage” to Iran’s nuclear installations, and the UN’s atomic watchdog claimed that the nuclear facilities in Isfahan are “completely secure”.

According to US media, Washington was informed in advance of Israel’s purported operation, but neither approved it nor participated in its implementation.

While pledging “ironclad” support for Israel, President Joe Biden also advised it to “think carefully and strategically” before taking any action against Iran that would lead to a broader conflict.

There were reports on Friday of an Israeli attack on a Syrian army post, and throughout the night a “explosion” occurred at an Iraqi facility.

Early on Saturday, security sources said that an explosion at a military camp housing a coalition supported by Iran had injured many individuals outside of Baghdad.

The number of material damages and casualties caused by the “explosion” was not specified by the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashed al-Shaabi.

The US military refuted rumors of its participation, and no one immediately claimed credit.

On April 19, 2024, after the Friday midday prayer in Tehran, Iranians congregate and wave the flags of Iran and Palestine during an anti-Israel protest.
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On April 19, 2024, after the Friday midday prayer in Tehran, Iranians congregate and wave the flags of Iran and Palestine during an anti-Israel protest.
In reaction to Tehran’s weekend assault on Israel, the US and the UK impose more sanctions on Iran, calling it a “dangerous cycle of retaliation.”

Iran conducted its first-ever direct strike against Israel last weekend.

Israel said that Iran had fired over 300 missiles and drones, most of which it intercepted with assistance from the US and other partners. There was little damage and no fatalities.

Iran claimed that the bombing was a reprisal for the attack on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.

The human cost of the conflict in Gaza has put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and one expert said that Israel was able to deflect attention from Gaza by attacking the embassy.

But the G7 developed economy’s foreign ministers, who are gathering in Italy this Friday, continued to apply pressure.

The organization said that due of the “catastrophic consequences” for civilians, they were against a “full-scale military operation in Rafah”, where the majority of Gaza’s population is seeking refuge.

Although mediators have admitted that talks for a ceasefire in Gaza were stalled, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to be taking a chance and would meet with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, on Saturday to talk about the situation.

On April 19, 2024, after the Friday midday prayer in Tehran, Iranians congregate and wave the flags of Iran and Palestine during an anti-Israel protest.
What is known about the alleged “space to climb down” attack on Iran

According to his spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has demanded a halt to “the dangerous cycle of retaliation” in the Middle East.

Analysts predicted that there would be no more tit-for-tat violence.

Director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the British think tank Chatham House, Sanam Vakil, said that the alleged Israeli attack was “calibrated to avoid damage and further Iranian aggression”.

“As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now,” he said.

“Carried out in a manner that will allow Iran to deny the attack and draw a line under it” is how Nomi Bar Yaacov, associate member of the think tank’s international security program, described the attack.

Some people on Tehran’s streets demanded peace.

Retired fireman Behrouz, 71, said, “We are against war,” without disclosing his last name. “We are not happy with the killing of people, whether they are Iranians, Israelis or Gazans.”