ISRAEL ATTACKED IRAN? HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Israel reportedly attacked Iran on late Thursday, reported Reuters on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. This incident follows days after Iran initiated a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
However, one of the sources told Reuters the U.S. was not involved but was notified by Israel before the attack.
Senior Iranian official told Reuters after reported strike that there is no plan for immediate retaliation. The official also said that no clarification on who is behind incident.
Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan. An Iranian official told Reuters there was no missile attack and the explosions were the result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems.
According to Reuters, Iran's senior commander Mihandoust said, "noise heard in Isfahan overnight was caused by air defence targeting one suspicious object."
Catch Iran-Israel conflict live updates here
The broadcaster later said the situation in Isfahan was normal and no ground explosions had occurred. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claimed that Iran's nuclear sites have remained damage free, as per Reuters.
An Iran analyst told state TV that the it was attacked by infiltrators within country via mini drones, reported Reuters.
However, ET online has not yet been able to verify these reports.
Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, centerpiece of Iran's uranium enrichment program.
Iran fires air defence batteriesIran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, reported AP, citing the state-run IRNA news agency.
It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. One government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.
IRNA said the defences fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.
In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reported AP.
Airport chaos Airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan were closed until 0700 GMT, subject to extension, and flights have been cleared from the western half of Iran, slight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported.
Some flights destined for Tehran from Turkish Airlines and Emirates were returning to their origin, FlightRadar24 said on X. An Iran Air flight from Rome to Tehran was diverting to Ankara, Turkey, it showed.
FlightRadar24 showed Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Belavia were among the carriers continuing to use the part of Iran's airspace that remained open on Friday morning.
According to a Bloomberg report, Israeli officials had notified the US that it would retaliate against Iran's weekend attack in 24-48 hours, which involved hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the Iranian drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.
Analysts and observers have been raising concerns about the risks of the Israel-Gaza war spreading into the rest of the region.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel before Friday's strike that Tehran would deliver a "severe response" to any attack on its territory.
Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel "must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests" as the U.N. secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a "moment of maximum peril."
Crude prices jumpAsian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped. Brent crude futures rose 3% to $88.86 a barrel, the dollar gained broadly, gold rose 1% and S&P 500 futures dropped 1%.
Iran's state television said nuclear facilities where Iran has been conducting work - which Tehran says is peaceful but which the West believes is aimed at building a weapon - were unharmed.
Israel's assault on Gaza began after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military offensive has killed over 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.
Iran-backed groups have declared support for Palestinians, launching attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
Italy, France urge de-escalation Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is hosting a meeting of G7 counterparts, called Friday for a "absolute de-escalation" after reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran, reported AFP.
"We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation," he told RAI news from Capri, adding that the G7 wanted an "absolute de-escalation" in the Middle East.
In addition, France has also called for de-escalation in the Middle-East crisis, Deputy French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday, responding to reports that Israel launched an air attack on Iranian soil earlier that day.
"All I can say is that France's position is to call on all actors for de-escalation and restraint," Barrot told Sud Radio, reported Reuters.
Meanwhile, Oman has condemned the "repeated Israeli military attacks in the region," reported Reuters, citing state news agency.
(With inputs from agencies)