Israel launched its expected counterstrike against Iran early on Friday, according to various sources such as ABC News, CBS News, and The New York Times. Israeli defense sources have confirmed the strike, but the Israeli Armed Forces have not yet commented on the matter. The extent of the attack is not confirmed, but reports suggest it targeted an air base near the city of Isfahan.
An Israeli official source mentioned to The Washington Post that the purpose of the attack was to showcase Israel’s capability to carry out strikes inside Iran. Iranian state media reported explosions or sounds near Isfahan, with some sources suggesting it was a missile strike, while others denied this claim.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the attack did not damage Iran’s nuclear facilities. The United States and several other countries have called for both Israel and Iran to de-escalate the situation to avoid further conflict in the Middle East. The tension between Israel and Iran has been escalating, with counterstrikes by both parties.
European countries, China, Japan, and Arab nations have also urged for restraint to prevent the situation from worsening. The United States has advised its embassy personnel in Israel to limit their movements. Reports suggest that the US was aware of the attack in advance, and discussions on Iran’s actions were held the night before the strike.
The attacks by Israel and Iran are seen as a critical moment that could lead to open warfare in the Middle East. Various countries have come forward to call for peace and de-escalation to avoid further repercussions. The timeline of tensions between Iran and Israel from the 1970s to the 2020s shows a long history of conflict and retaliation between the two nations.