Within days since Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel deploying over three hundred missiles and explosive drones, in an act of retaliation, Israel on Friday responded to Iran’s act with another attack.
As per several reports, Iran activated its air defence batteries early Friday morning after ‘loud sound’ of explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike.
Initially, it remained unclear whether the explosions resulted from Israel’s retaliation. However, soon the Israeli attack was confirmed by Israel’s ally, the United States, who reportedly had received prior information regarding the possible act of retaliation from Israel but ‘did not endorse’ the move, as per reports.
One Iranian government official and later Iran’s state-run television broadcaster suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.
According to Iranian news agency IRNA, the defenses were fired by Israel across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds. In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran’s fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise” in the area.
Iran’s Isfahan qualifies to be a potential target as the city holds immense strategic importance and is the location of several important facilities, including military research and development sites, as well as bases. Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran’s nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.