Isfahan, Iran – Iranian state media reported that the country’s air defenses brought down three small drones over the central city of Isfahan, following reports from United States broadcasters about Israeli missile attacks on an Iranian site. The incident led to the activation of air defenses, explosions in Isfahan, and the suspension of flights in Tehran and Isfahan.
Hours after the incident, airspace was reopened with no casualties reported. Second Brigadier General Siavash Mihandoust confirmed that air defense batteries hit a suspicious object with no damage caused. The attack, believed to be launched using small quadcopters, was not from outside Iran.
In Isfahan, a military airbase belonging to Iran’s army was targeted, prompting Iranian media to downplay the incident. The city of Tabriz also saw its air defense systems activated. This event comes after a similar drone attack on an Iranian army factory in Isfahan in January 2023, which Iran attributed to Israel.
After a suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate compound in Damascus, tensions escalated, prompting Iran to launch a barrage of drones and missiles on Israel. In response, Israel promised to retaliate, eventually launching missiles at an Iranian site. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed no damage to Iranian nuclear sites and urged restraint in conflicts involving nuclear facilities.
Explosions were also reported in Iraq and Syria, with Iranian state media mentioning strikes on military-linked sites in Syria. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning of a possible full-scale regional conflict. The US and European countries had called on Israel to show restraint in response to Iran’s attacks.
Guterres emphasized the need for all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a devastating conflict in the region. The situation remains tense as international leaders continue to monitor developments in the Middle East.