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Several drones were shot down over Iranian Isfahan, media reports — IAF airstruck ‘em good
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
See also here.
[Novosti] Several unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by Iran's air defense system in the skies over the central province of Isfahan, the IRIB agency reports .

Earlier, the American TV channel ABC News reported that Israel launched a missile attack on a facility in Iran. According to local media, explosions occurred near the airport in Isfahan and the 8th Iranian Air Force base.

“A number of reports indicate that several small unknown drones were attacked in the airspace of Isfahan province,” IRIB said in a statement.

According to the Fars agency , three explosions were heard in Isfahan; air defense forces were presumably activated due to the appearance of small drones. A possible target of the UAV could be an army radar station. Several office buildings in the area also had their windows blown out.

As the Tasnim agency notes , nuclear facilities in Isfahan are completely safe.

According to the state agency IRNA , air defense forces repelled the attack in other provinces of Iran. In particular, the sound of the explosion was heard in the west of Tabriz and in the Wadi-e Rahmat area.

The country's authorities canceled flights over Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz.

As Bloomberg reports, citing an informed source, Israel notified the US government on Friday that it plans to retaliate against Iran within 24-48 hours.

Courtesy of Beldar+Uneter3543 in comments yesterday evening:



From SteveS in the same thread, Al Monitor’s report:
Israel carries out strikes in Isfahan, Iran: reports

Explosions were heard in Qahjaverestan, northeast of Isfahan, early Friday morning as US officials confirmed that Israel carried out strikes against Iran.

Bloomberg reported that Israeli officials notified the United States earlier on Thursday that the country planned to retaliate to Saturday’s attack in the next 24-48 hours. Two US officials told CNN
...formerly the Cable News Network, now who know what it might stand for...
that Israel indicated to Washington it would not attack nuclear targets.
So much for Israel waiting until after the major holiday of Passover, one of the three holidays of pilgrimage back when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. It was because of Passover that Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem, and their Last Supper was a Passover Seder.
Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program located some 215 miles south of Tehran, the News Agency that Dare Not be Named reported. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported that nuclear sites in Isfahan are safe.

Fox News report courtesy of Skidmark — it says to check back for updates:
Israel strikes site in Iran in retaliation for weekend assault: source

Israel strikes back at Iran: Explosions are reported near bases housing Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities as Netanyahu defies Biden days after unprecedented missile barrage on Jewish state
The Daily Mail has the usual photos and video, and has already updated this story once, so they may yet again.
  • Strikes hit the city of Isfahan at 5am local time. Officials say they do not believe the city's nuclear facilities were struck

  • Military targets in Iraq and Syria were also reportedly destroyed simultaneously

  • It comes after President Biden warned Israel not to plunge the Middle East further into crisis

Iranian news outlet FARS reported that the strikes were located 'near Isfahan Airport and the eighth hunting base of the Army Air Force.'

Iranian state news reported the nation's air defense systems have been activated, and were firing at an unknown object in Tabriz, around 500 miles north of Isfahan.

Israeli officials warned the Biden administration of its intent to strike before launching, but an official told CNN that the US did not 'green light' any Israeli response.

Israeli military officials have reportedly stressed that today's strikes were a 'limited response' to Iran's attack, appearing to target military hubs used by Iran in their onslaught on Saturday.

The Times of Israel is liveblogging the story. Also check out the main website for major stories.
5min ago
Iranian senior commander: No damage caused in overnight attack -- state TV
8min ago
Syrian activist group claims strikes hit military radar position in south
10min ago
IDF: Drone alert sirens in Upper Galilee this morning were false alarms
15min ago
Iranian state media downplays reported Israeli attack, shows calm scenes in Isfahan

Check out the Jerusalem Post website in addition to the Jerusalem Post’s liveblog:
Alleged Israeli strike reported in Iran, IRGC troops evacuated from Syria
Iran warns of new nuclear strategy • IDF strikes terrorist targets in Rafah • America signals approval of IDF Rafah op • Explosions heard in southern Syria, Iran
More from the Jerusalem Post:
Syrian reports indicated Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s targeted sites belonging to the Syrian Army in the As-Suwayda and Daraa Governorates of southern Syria.

An Israeli missile strike targeted a site in Iran
...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan. The abbreviation IRGC is the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA). The term Supreme Guide is a the modern version form of either Duce or Führer or maybe both. They hate Jews Zionists Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
early Friday morning, according to ABC News. The report came shortly after local sources reported explosions in Isfahan in central Iran, in the As-Suwayda Governorate of southern Syria, and in the Baghdad area and Babil Governorate of Iraq early Friday morning.

REPORTS OF STRIKES ON SITES BELONGING TO SYRIAN ARMY
Syrian reports on Friday morning indicated airstrikes had also targeted sites belonging to the Syrian Army in the As-Suwayda and Daraa Governorates of southern Syria.

According to the local news site As-Suwayda24, the airstrikes targeted radar sites belonging to the Syrian military between Qarda and Izraa in Daraa in southern Syria.

Residents in Erbil and djinn-infested Mosul
... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn...
in Iraq reported hearing the sounds of fighter jets as well early Friday morning.

Shortly after the alleged Israeli missile strikes were reported, Florida Senator Marco Rubio
...The diminutive 13-year-old Republican U.S. Senator from Florida...
published a post on X reading "Israel has the ability to conduct strikes against targets inside Iran without entering Iranian air space from aircraft over Syrian and Iraqi airspace."
Even more from the Jpost:
Iran evacuates Hezbollah, IRGC commanders from Syria amid fears of Israeli retaliation
APRIL 18, 2024 13:41
…ie. hours before the IAF bombing run…
Reports have claimed on Wednesday that Iran is currently preparing for a potential Israeli retaliation against its territory or proxies following Tehran's missile attack onto Israel on Sunday. As such, Iran has allegedly removed senior Hezbollah and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from Syria.

This comes amid US and European pressure onto Israel to respond in a way that prevents further escalation following Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend.

Reports citing Iranian officials said Wednesday claimed that that Iran is currently preparing its air force for potential strikes, and its navy would commence escorting Iranian commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Additionally, Tehran has initiated the evacuation of personnel from sites in Syria with a significant presence of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Syrian and Iranian officials and advisers.

IRGC, HEZBOLLAH MID-RANKING OFFICERS RELOCATING
IRGC and Hezbollah's mid-ranking officers are relocating from their original positions within the country to various undocumented locations, as reported by the Wall Street Journal citing Syrian security officials.

On April 8, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah affirmed Iran's support for Hezbollah's "resistance" and declared that the presence of the IRGC in Syria and Lebanon dates back to 1982, following Israel's aggression towards Lebanon.

Hezbollah was on heightened alert during the Iranian attack over the weekend, expecting potential Israeli retaliation targeting its positions. However, it has since reduced its threat level, as it believes Israel is unlikely to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon in response to Iran's attack. Instead, Hezbollah has been advised by Iran to take precautionary measures in Syria, where Israel could target IRGC bases, warehouses, and Hezbollah posts.

Check out the Ynet website for major stories in addition to Ynet’s Breaking News includes reports on this story, including:
00:16
Israeli security sources confirm Israel attacked Iran targets
Israeli security officials confirmed to the New York Times early on Friday that an attack was made on Iran. Earlier Iranian sources said an airbase in the area of Isfahan came under attack. (Ynet)


Posted by: badanov 2024-04-19
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=697090