Israel strikes Iran: US officials have confirmed that Israel launched a missile strike on Iran overnight Friday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Confirmed: Israel strikes Iran
Although Israel typically remains silent about its military actions, US sources have disclosed to CBS News, a partner of the BBC, that a missile originating from Israel struck Iran in the early hours of Friday. The exact nature of the weapons used and their launch site remain undisclosed.
Iranian Response
While Iranian authorities acknowledge the attempted strike, they downplay its severity, reporting no casualties or significant damage. Iran’s Fars news agency mentioned explosions near an army base and activated air defense systems. However, officials emphasized that the explosions resulted from air defense systems engaging “suspicious objects,” and reiterated that there was no substantial damage.
Repercussions and Denials
Iran’s National Centre of Cyberspace spokesman, Hossein Dalirian, refuted claims of an external air attack, attributing the incident to Israel’s failed attempt to deploy quadcopters. Despite initial restrictions on commercial flights following the strike, operations have since resumed. Explosions were also reported in Iraq and Syria, but their connection to the Isfahan strike remains unclear.
Strategic Significance
Isfahan province, the target of the strike, hosts vital Iranian military assets, including an airbase, missile production complex, and nuclear facilities. The attack comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, following Iran’s recent large-scale missile and drone assault on Israel, which met significant resistance from Israeli air defenses.
International Response
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani revealed that the US received last-minute notification of the strike, diverging from the usual practice of prior coordination between Israel and the US. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to comment on the attack during the G7 summit, asserting that the US had no involvement in offensive operations.
Context of Conflict
The Isfahan strike follows Iran’s unsuccessful assault on Israel, launched in response to an earlier Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for either strike, the sequence of events underscores the escalating tensions and tit-for-tat exchanges between the two adversaries.