Iran explosions, Israeli attacks are reported by US media

Friday saw explosions in downtown Isfahan, according to Iranian state media, while US media cited authorities claiming Israel had struck back at its bitterest adversary.

 

Following reports from the nation’s official broadcaster that explosions had been heard close to the capital city of Isfahan, air defense systems were activated over many Iranian cities, according to state media.

Following Iran’s weekend missile and drone barrage on Israel, Israel had already threatened to retaliate. The majority of them were thwarted.

Iran’s space agency spokesperson Hossein Dalirian stated that “several” drones had been “successfully shot down,” while the Fars news agency reported that “three explosions” had been heard close to the Shekari army airport in the northwest of the province of Isfahan.

“As of right now, there are no reports of a missile attack,” Dalirian said on the social media network X.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency said, citing “reliable sources,” that nuclear facilities in Isfahan are “completely secure.”

Citing US authorities, ABC and CBS News stated that Israel was responsible for the attacks. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House responded right away.

“At this time, we don’t have a comment,” the Israeli military said AFP.

The Israeli Army issued this handout photo of Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (C), the chief of the armed forces, during a situational assessment at the Kirya military facility in Tel Aviv with members of the General Staff Forum.
New sanctions on Iran are imposed by the US and the UK in retaliation for Tehran’s assault on Israel over the weekend.

Iran, a major supporter of Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, undertook the assault in revenge for an attack on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that was generally attributed to Israel.

A local activist organization reported blasts in southern Syria as well.

“A Syrian army radar position was struck,” said Rayan Maarouf, the owner of Suwayda24, an anti-government website that provides news from the southern province of Sweida.

On Friday, flights were canceled over large portions of Iran.

Tehran’s official IRNA news agency said, “Iran’s air defense has been activated in the skies of several provinces of the country.”

“Flights to Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, as well as airports in the west, northwest, and southwest have been suspended,” the Mehr news agency said.

Israeli authorities have not said when or where they would respond to Iran’s missile bombardment, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his nation has the right to self-defense.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented a dire image of the Middle East scenario on Thursday, announcing that escalating tensions stemming from Iran’s assault on Israel and the Gaza crisis might turn into a “full-scale regional conflict.”

“There is a precipice in the Middle East. A dangerous escalation has occurred recently, both in words and acts, Guterres informed the Security Council.

“One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable — a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved,” he added, urging everyone to practice “maximum restraint.”

Following rumors of explosions in Iran, oil prices increased by more than three percent in early Asian trading on Friday.

The Israeli Army issued this handout photo of Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (C), the chief of the armed forces, during a situational assessment at the Kirya military facility in Tel Aviv with members of the General Staff Forum.
Iran issues a warning against reprisal, but Netanyahu says Israel would choose how to react.