This Friday, against the backdrop of the rapid escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Israel allegedly launched a military strike against Iran, this was confirmed by a US official. The blow could have serious consequences, but Iranian officials have tried to downplay the situation.
According to British media on March 19, the United States received prior notice of Israel's strike, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken later confirmed that the United States "did not participate in any offensive operations" and was focused on Israel's defense and de-escalation.
Iranian air defense systems in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz were activated after three explosions were heard near a major military air base near Isfahan, British media reported in the early hours of Friday.
The commander-in-chief of the Iranian National Army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, said that the explosion over Isfahan was related to the firing of air defense systems at what he said was a suspicious object, which did not cause any damage. Other Iranian officials said air defense systems had intercepted three drones and there were no reports of missile strikes, Iran's Islamic News Agency reported.
Reports of Friday's attack came hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told CNN that it would "respond immediately to the maximum extent" if Israel takes any further military action against Iran.
"If the Israeli regime makes another grave mistake, our response will be decisive, clear and regrettable," he added. He noted that the warning had been conveyed to the White House through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
Meanwhile, tensions throughout the Middle East remain tense after Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel last Saturday. Iran fired more than 300 drones and cruise missiles at Israel, and the attack was in response to a suspected Israeli attack on Iranian diplomatic buildings in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on April 1, which killed a senior commander and several others.
Separately, Syrian state media SANA, citing military sources, reported on Friday that Israeli attacks on "our air defense bases in the southern region" had led to "material damage" in southern Syria. The Israeli military said it would not comment on reports from foreign media.
On Friday, when CNN asked about reports of the Iranian explosion, the Israeli military said it could not comment.
At the end of a three-day meeting in Capri, Italy, the Group of Seven (G7) urged all parties in the region to "prevent further escalation of the situation." Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also warned that the attack could "plunge the region into further conflict," adding that "Israeli and Iranian retaliation must stop."
Prior to Israel's attack, the United States does not expect Israel's response to target Iran's civilian or nuclear facilities. U.S. intelligence has hinted that Israel is considering a narrow and limited strike against Iran in response to an earlier Iranian attack.
Israel's Western allies support its defensive actions, but they also urge restraint. US President Joe Biden has highlighted Israel's success in fending off Iranian attacks, hinting at an unwillingness to participate in offensive operations against Iran. However, Israeli officials, including Benny Guntz, advocated a swift response to Iran's attack.
In addition, some Israeli officials have made tough statements, but analysts see retaliatory attacks between Israel and Iran as more a gesture than a precursor to all-out war. According to the report, the Israeli attack was intended to convey to Iran Israel's ability to strike its nuclear facilities, even if it was not carried out this time.
We will continue to update as the situation evolves.