Israel strikes Iran; explosions heard in Isfahan
Explosions also heard in areas of Iraq and Syria; Israel notifies U.S. ahead of launching attack according to American officials; Israel makes no official comment while Home Front Command makes no changes to civilian conduct
According to reports, Israel's retaliatory attack on Iran has begun. Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
An American official told CNN that Israel advised the U.S. of its intention to launch an attack hours before it began and that the administration . Another official told Al Jazeera that the Israeli attack had began.
Israel gave no official comment and there has been no change to the IDF Home Front Command's instruction to civilians.
The IRGC put all of its bases on high alert and the Iranian national security council was called for an urgent consultation.
One Iranian government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones launched from within Iranian territory and not missiles.
IRNA said the defenses 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 defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran’s fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise” in the area.
Explosions were also reported in Iraq and Syria. pro-Iranian media reported that there were explosions in Baghdad and in southern Syria.
The US embassy in Israel on Friday once again warned its citizens in the country not to travel outside central areas and major cities.
"Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice. U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel," the embassy posted.
