The initial response of the strike suggests that Iran and Israel wish to avoid a full-scale war
The Israeli Response to the Israel-Hamas War: Air Defense Systems and Security Against Interference from a Central Military Station in Isfahan
Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have traded frequent fire over the northern Israel border. In the last few months, international vessels have been going through the Red Sea. The group’s leaders claim that they’re targeting ships that are linked to Israel in response to the invasion of Gaza.
The region has been on the edge of wider conflict since Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, which Israel says killed 1,200 people, and Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza, which has killed more than 30,000 people according to Gaza health officials.
According to Iranian news, no strike has been reported and the sounds of intercepting one or more drones were reported near Isfahan. Israel’s military has not yet responded to NPR’s request for comment.
The U.S. and other western allies had been urging Israel to forego a military strike to avoid a regional conflict springing out of the Israel-Hamas war.
In a story published on the Iran state news agency IRNA, it was said that a military official in central Iranian city of Isfahan claimed that sound of air defense systems intercepting a suspicious target was heard east of the city.
The strikes appear to be the response Israel vowed to carry out after an Iranian attack on Sunday, when Tehran fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. Most of Iran’s volleys were intercepted or caused little damage. The U.S. military official spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday.
In one video that was widely shared online Friday, a girl throws a paper airplane at an apartment building and compares it to the Israeli strike, giggling as the folded paper hits the concrete structure.
Social media users in Iran, including some connected to the country’s military, mocked the Israeli strike as a puny response to the roughly 300 missiles and drones that Iran launched at Israel last weekend.
Iran’s state TV broadcasted footage of the city looking calm as it reflected in the spring light, but said military and nuclear facilities were safe. The newsman said the attack was not a big deal.
Israel can do military maneuvers that are friendly to its troops but which also deliver its message, Dana Weiss of Israel’s Channel 12 told viewers. “And that is what we have seen them do.”
