An "informed source" told Iranian "Press TV" today, Friday, that there was no foreign attack on Iranian cities, including Isfahan, where air defense systems were activated earlier today to intercept what are suspected to be drones. According to the "Tasnim" news agency, after a relatively loud explosion was heard east of Isfahan, a senior military commander in the province, Brigadier General Mihman Doost, stated that the "sound was caused by the air defenses firing in Isfahan at suspicious objects and caused no damage."
"Press TV" reported that some quadcopter drones were shot down near the city of Isfahan. Official media quoted a senior Iranian commander saying that the noise heard in Isfahan during the night was due to air defense targeting a suspicious object.
**No Attack from Abroad**
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council confirmed that there had been no external missile attack on the country, while U.S. media reported that Israel had previously informed Washington that it would launch an attack on Iran.
Israeli security and government sources told the "Jerusalem Post" that Israel was the one who launched the attack on Iran today, but it would not claim responsibility for it "for strategic reasons." They quoted unidentified officials saying, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Israel responded to those who attacked it."
**Strategic Reasons**
The sources mentioned that Israel would not adopt the attack that Iran stated was carried out by three drones on the city of Isfahan for strategic reasons. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry had asked its diplomatic missions abroad not to comment on the events in Iran.
NBC and CNN reported sources close to the issue and a U.S. official stating that Israel had notified Washington in advance of the strike. The U.S. official said, "We did not agree to respond," according to CNN. Meanwhile, CNN attributed to a U.S. official the confirmation of Israel's strike inside Iran, but noted that it did not target a nuclear site. The Iranian Tasnim news agency confirmed the safety of nuclear facilities in Isfahan, stating they are "completely secure."
"Press TV" mentioned that the situation in Isfahan, Iran, is normal and that no explosion occurred on the ground, while Al-Alam TV indicated that Iranian air defenses confronted suspicious objects in the skies of Isfahan near a military base northwest of the city.
**Suspicious Objects**
Reports discussed the activation of air defense systems to deal with a suspected drone. The official Iranian news agency "IRNA" reported that there was no "significant damage" in Iran following reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan on Friday morning. The agency stated, "Reports indicate that there is no severe damage or large explosions resulting from any aerial threat."
Flights resumed on Friday morning at Tehran’s airports after being suspended due to reports of explosions in Iran, according to IRNA.
**Return of Air Traffic**
Flights were reinstated from Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport, with IRNA noting that a flight to Tehran from Rome had been diverted to Ankara. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian promised immediate and maximum Iranian retaliation if Israel targeted any Iranian interests.
CNN quoted the Iranian minister stating that the Iranian attack was a warning to Israel, conveying the message that Tehran has the capability to respond but does not seek to expand the conflict in the region. He also said that Iran would not target American bases or interests in the region.
This comes less than a week after an Iranian attack targeted military sites inside Israel, which Israel pledged to respond to.
