Israel strikes Iran's Isfahan following airstrike, tensions escalate

TEL AVIV: Israel delivered an unexpected response to Iran's airstrike on Iranian soil by launching an attack on Isfahan in central Iran, targeting strategic nuclear facilities yesterday morning. Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's space agency, reported that a few drones were downed with no casualties or damage. Notably, yesterday marked the 85th birthday of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While neither Israel nor Iran have officially confirmed Israel's involvement, US officials released the information. Iranian media claimed that drones operated by 'infiltrators' were destroyed. Although there were reports of an Israeli missile hitting Isfahan, Iran denied it.

Incident overview

- Blast occurred in Isfahan in the morning

- Iran activated air defenses across cities

- The attack targeted Shahid Salami Airbase

- Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran was closed

- Air routes in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz were closed

- Emirates and Flydubai flights were diverted

Isfahan province

- Isfahan ranks as the third largest city in Iran

- It houses several nuclear facilities, including the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, which Iran asserts are secure

Backlash

- Years of a shadow war between the two nations culminated in direct confrontation following Israel's destruction of Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1, resulting in 13 fatalities, including 2 Iranian generals. In retaliation, an airstrike was launched against Israel from Iranian soil the following Sunday.

- Israel claims to have neutralized 99 percent of the drones and missiles launched by Iran and has vowed retaliation, while Iran has threatened to destroy Israel.