Israel carried out a retaliatory attack against Iran early Friday morning, according to reports.
U.S. officials told CNN and ABC News of the strike, which came on the heels of Iran’s weekend attack, involving a volley of of more than 300 drones and missiles aimed at Israel. All but a few were intercepted by the nation and its allies, including the United States.
Iranian officials have so far sought to downplay the Israeli strike, which could signify a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict. Still, the nation’s air defense systems were activated after explosions sounded Friday in the cities of Tabriz and Isfahan, which is home to a major military airbase and several nuclear sites, state media reported.
There have been no reports of casualties.
Planet Labs PBC via AP
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows the dual-use civilian airport and air base in Isfahan, Iran, Thursday, April 18. . (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s army, on Friday said the blasts were related to “a suspicious object that did not cause any damage.”
Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the U.S. received “last-minute” information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan.
Though the United States was given advanced notice of the strike, it did not endorse or participate in the attack, a senior U.S. official told CNN. Secretary of State Antony Blinken later confirmed the U.S. “has not been involved in any offensive operations,” adding that he would be focusing on Israel’s defense and de-escalation.
Iran’s attack over the weekend came almost six months after Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7. The Palestinian terrorist group launched thousands of rockets from the Strip before scores of armed fighters flooded Israeli communities along the southern border. The invasion prompted an Israeli response, a relentless bombardment and subsequent ground assault in Gaza, which is ongoing.
With News Wire Services
