Israel has launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, US media reported Thursday, April 18. ABC, CBS and CNN, among other media, reported the strikes early Friday Middle East time, quoting US officials. There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon.
Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, state media reported after the country’s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.
Isfahan is a symbolically important city because of its nearby nuclear research center. According to the Iranian media, these nuclear facilities are safe.
Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.
That strike came in the wake of an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel.
Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.
Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran’s civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small “quadcopter” drones had been shot down. It wasn’t immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.
Israel’s military told Agence France-Presse on Friday that “we don’t have a comment at this time.”
