On April 19, 2024, Israel carried out an airstrike in central Iran, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two countries. The strike, which targeted Isfahan province, home to Iran’s largest nuclear research complex and a military base, was confirmed by an anonymous Israeli official. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated the attack was a retaliation for a recent barrage of missiles and drones launched by Iran.
According to reports, Iranian state media downplayed the event, reporting that their air defenses intercepted “three small drones” and maintaining there was no damage to the nation’s nuclear sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency corroborated that none of the sites sustained damage.
The retaliation appears to be a carefully calibrated move by Israel. Experts suggest this strategy may reflect an intention on both sides to send a message of strength while avoiding the risks of a full-blown conflict.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Syria’s state news agency reported an overnight Israeli attack targeting air defense sites in the country’s southern region, causing some damage, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, after communicating with both Iran and Israel, stated, “conveyed to the Israelis that Iran does not want an escalation.”
In parallel, the United States took a defensive stance to protect its ally. President Joe Biden announced that U.S. forces had assisted Israel in downing “nearly all” of the missiles and drones during the Iranian attack on Israel, which saw more than 300 projectiles launched. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” Biden affirmed.
The tensions between Israel and Iran have been mounting amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, where devastating hostilities have resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Relevant articles:
– Live updates: Israel carries out airstrike on central Iran, Israeli official says
– Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted, The Associated Press, Sun, 14 Apr 2024 04:40:00 GMT
– Israel hits central Iran in apparently limited retaliatory strike, The Washington Post, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:58:00 GMT
– Israel says Iran’s missile and drone attack largely thwarted, with “very little damage” caused, CBS News, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 01:20:25 GMT