Israel launches revenge strikes on Iran as explosions rock airbase days after Tehran’s 300 missile blitz
ISRAEL has launched revenge strikes on Iranian soil days after Tehran unleashed an unprecedented missile and drone blitz.
Explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan, home to a major airbase and nuclear site, as Iran activated its air defences.
A senior US official told America’s ABC News that Israel’s revenge for Iran’s 320 kamikaze drone and ballistic missile blitz had begun.
Iranian state TV said three drones were “destroyed” over Isfahan early this morning but no ground explosions had struck the city.
Blasts were also heard in Iraq and Syria in what appeared to be further strikes on Iranian puppet terror groups across the region.
The full scope and scale of the surprise attack – launched hours after Israeli sources said they would hold off their response – remained unclear.
World leaders were anxiously awaiting Iran’s next move after its fanatical Islamist leaders vowed “our hands are on the trigger.”
Tehran warned it would hit back with a withering assault “tenfold” the size of Saturday’s huge attack if Israel dared to strike any target on its soil.
At least one explosion was heard in the city of Qahjavaristan, Isfahan near an airport and an army air force HQ, according to Iranian Media.
The air base just outside Isfahan is tied to Iran’s aircraft production – possibly where the drones it used to attack Israel on Saturday were made.
More blasts were heard in the As-Suwayda Governorate of southern Syria and near the Iraqi capital, Baghdad but there was no confirmation of Israeli origin.
Flights to the capital Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz were reported to have been suspended but there were no initial reports of damage or casualties.
Qahjavaristan is close to Isfahan’s airport and is home to an Iranian army air force base.
One of Iran’s fortified underground nuclear plants is near Isfahan but there was no confirmation that it had been targeted as the Israeli operation remained cloaked in secrecy early today.
Hours before the attack, Israeli sources had indicated that Israel would not attack until after the end of the Jewish Passover religious holiday on April 30.
But the briefings appear to have been a ruse as several US officials confirmed action was underway.
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, later reported that nuclear facilities in Isfahan were “completely safe.”
Iranian state TV later appeared to be playing down the scale of the attack on the military base near Isfahan Airport.
It claimed to have thwarted a localised attack by three drones in the city and stressed that damage was limited.
Iranian sources also suggested that the explosions were not the result of a missile fired from Israel.
Israel maintained a stony silence and made no comment on the action early today, suggesting it was reverting to its long-running “shadow war” with its arch-enemy.
The initial moves by both sides were being interpreted as attempts to de-escalate the crisis amid World War Three fears.
But analysts still described the Isfahan attack – five days after Iran’s flop drone and missile blitz was blocked by Israel’s Iron Dome defences and war jets – as “an extremely dangerous moment.”
Israel declined to make any comment early today – but two Israeli officials were reported to have confirmed its military was responsible to the New York Times.
US officials later confirmed that they were given notice of an “imminent” Isreali attack shortly before the early hours strike.
No information was released by Iran on damage or casualties and state TV showed footage of calm normality on the streets of Isfahan early today.
DEFENCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED
A senior official confirmed to CNN that the target hit by Israeli missiles was not nuclear.
“We didn’t endorse the response,” the official told CNN.
Iranian officials have not publicly commented on the apparent attack and representatives for the Israeli Military told CNN they “don’t have a comment at this time.”
Following reports of the explosions, Iran activated its air defense systems over several regions, according to state media.
The extent of damage from the reported strike, as well as the weapons used, was not immediately clear.
We reserve the right to do everything in our power, and we will do everything in our power to defend this country
David Mencer
However, Iran’s FARS news agency reported that three explosions were heard near the military base in Isfahan.
“The defense is activated in response to an object that is likely to be a drone,” sources told FARS.
FARS reportedly claimed that the army radar was a potential target.
The alleged missile strike comes nearly one week after Iran unleashed an attack against Israel made up of over 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and attack drones on Saturday.
Most of the missiles were intercepted or caused little damage to Israel.
Only one casualty was reported, with a 7-year-old Bedouin girl being hit by falling debris from an interceptor rocket in southern Israel.
At the time, Iran claimed the launch was in self-defense, alleging Israel killed seven of its Revolutionary Guards during a strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria on April 1.
An Iranian commander was killed in the strike.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has described the attack from Iran as a “declaration of war.”
Herzog claimed it is “time the world faces this empire of evil in Tehran” amid Western fears of an all-out war in the region.
Israel previously warned of an “imminent” retaliatory response to the weekend attack.
An IDF official said such an attack would be “coordinated with the Americans.”
As of Monday, the IDF had approved plans for an “offensive” against Iran.
David Mencer, a spokesman for the Israeli government, said the country “retains all its options.
“We reserve the right to do everything in our power, and we will do everything in our power to defend this country,” Mencer said.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also vowed to retaliate against Israel if a counter-attack was launched.
The U.S. Sun previously reported that Israel was intending to hold off on a retaliatory attack against Iran to smash Hamas in Gaza.
“The Americans are our main ally and clearly don’t want this to turn into a wider war,” A former Israeli government adviser said.
“But Israel knows it’s justified in responding to Iran and sources tell me it is using its restraint as leverage to get the go-ahead to finish the job in Gaza.
“The mission since October 7 has always been to destroy Hamas and save the 100 or so hostages. Israel’s revenge on Iran may yet be a dish best served cold.”
BANS FOR ASSETS AND TRAVELLING
BRITAIN and America have announced new sanctions against the “ringleaders” of Iran’s military following the missile and drone onslaught on Israel.
Seven individuals and six entities such as the country’s operational command centre have been targeted after helping Iran conduct ‘destabalising regional activity’.
Those named are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze with the organisations listed will have an asset freeze.
The intervention comes after more than 400 sanctions have already been imposed on Iran including the Revolutional Guard.
The joint move from the UK and US is a direct response to the attacks at the weekend where RAF jets helped shoot down some 300 Irainian drones and missiles.
The sanctions have been imposed on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy and the Khatemolanbia Central Headquarters who are responsible for the command of the country’s armed forces.
The IRGC Navy were embroiled in taking hold of the civilian MSC Aries in international waters and also threatened military action against Israel.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Iranian regime’s attack against Israel was a reckless act and a dangerous escalation.
“Today we have sanctioned the ringleaders of the Iranian military and forces responsible for the weekend’s attack.
“These sanctions – announced with the US – show we unequivocally condemn this behaviour, and they will further limit Iran’s ability to destabilise the region.”
Lord Cameron, who is currently in Capri, Italy, to meet his G7 counterparts, said the sanctions demonstrate the UK’s and US “unequivocal condemnation” of the Israel attack.
He added: “At a time of great tension in the Middle East, Iran’s decision to launch hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel carried with it a serious risk of thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation for the region
“The sanctions announced today alongside the US demonstrate our unequivocal condemnation of Iran’s attack on a sovereign state.
“The MSC Aries and its crew should be released immediately, and Iran should halt its reckless and unlawful behaviour. Further escalation is in no one’s interest.”
Washington targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran who produce engines for the drones deployed in the assault on Israel.
US president Joe Biden said: “Less than a week ago, Iran launched one of the largest missile and drone attacks the world has ever seen against Israel.
“Together with our allies and partners, the United States defended Israel. We helped defeat this attack. And today, we are holding Iran accountable – imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran.
“The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defence Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone programme that enabled this brazen assault.
“As I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran.
“And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran’s destabilising military programmes.”