Israel launches retaliatory strikes against Iran

WASHINGTON — Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated following a series of attacks. Israel launches retaliatory strikes against Iran in response to Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, which was retaliation for an attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria. The Israeli operation was kept secretive, with limited details available, and there have been no reports of casualties so far.

Iran has activated air defense systems in response to the explosions, and flights have been rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace. The situation remains tense as Iran urges the UN Security Council to restrain Israel from further military actions.

Key Concepts

• Israel launched a missile strike on at least one location in Iran.
• The Israeli operation was kept secretive, with limited details available.
• An explosion was heard at an airport in Isfahan, Iran, with the cause remaining unclear.
• Iran has activated its air defense systems in response to the explosions.
• Iran launched a large-scale air strike on Israel over the weekend in retaliation for an attack on its embassy compound in Damascus.
• Flights have been rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace.
• Iran has urged the UN Security Council to restrain Israel from further military actions.

The media late Thursday (April 18) quoted a senior US official as saying that an Israeli missile hit at least one location in Iran. There have been no reports of casualties. Five days ago, Iran launched a massive drone and missile attack on Israel in response to an attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria.

The media reported that senior U.S. officials also said that Israel was quite secretive about the operation, so there were not many details at the moment.

Iran’s Fars News Agency said that an explosion was heard at an airport in Isfahan, Iran, but the cause is currently unclear. Isfahan province is home to several Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Natanz nuclear facility at the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iranian media stated that the air defense systems of several Iranian cities had been activated after explosions were heard in Isfahan.

Iran told the UN Security Council a few hours ago that Israel “must be forcibly restrained from any military adventurism against our interests.” Iran had previously warned that Israel would face more serious consequences if it retaliated for Iran’s drone strikes. Israel has warned of retaliation for Iran’s missile and drone attacks on April 13.

According to the media, several flights were rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace.

Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. The Iranian government said the air strike was in retaliation for an attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus in early April. Iran blamed Israel for the attack. However, most drones and missiles are shot down by Israel and its allies, including the United States, before reaching Israeli territory