Everything we know about Israel’s strikes on Iran as explosions rock Isfahan
Israel launched an attack on Iran overnight, less than a week after a full-scale attack by Tehran on Israeli territory last weekend.
Explosions could reportedly be seen near the central city of Isfahan, which is home to a major military airbase and a nuclear facility.
Iranian media reported three drones had been shot down after air defence systems were activated, and there have been no reports of injuries or damage so far. Israel’s leadership and military have so far not commented on the strike.
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But two US officials have told CBS News that an Israeli missile hit Iran. And a senior Israeli official told The Washington Post that the attack “was intended to signal to Iran that Israel can attack its territory”.
However, sources in Iran have told Reuters and the New York Times that the country had not been hit by an external attack.
Here’s what we know so far:
Explosions were reportedly heard near the Isfahan airbase after Iran fired air defences after spotting drones on Friday morning.
The country’s Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported the sound of blasts without giving a cause, while state television acknowledged a “loud noise” in the area, where a major nuclear facility is also based.
Tasnim then published footage showing two different anti-aircraft gun positions, suspected to be at the site of Iran‘s Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.
A reporter said: “At 4.45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on. It was the air defence, these guys that you’re watching, and over there too.”
There have also been unconfirmed reports of explosions in the sky over the city of Tabriz, in the north west of the country.
Conflicting reports have surfaced over where the attack came from, and what it featured.
Iran appears to be downplaying the incident, with senior army commander Siavosh Mihandoust quoted by state TV as saying air defence systems had targeted a “suspicious object”.
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