Israel’s targeted strikes in Iran come as a direct response to Tehran’s recent missile and drone attacks
Israel initiated limited airstrikes on strategic sites within Iran early Friday, following a severe assault by Tehran last weekend. These strikes targeted areas in Isfahan province, a crucial location housing Natanz, one of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Although damages to specific sites remain unconfirmed, local reports and witnesses cited explosions in the vicinity.
The action by Israel serves as retaliation for Iran’s unexpected barrage of missiles and drones directed at Israeli territories late Saturday, which marked a significant escalation in their long-standing conflict. According to sources familiar with the operation, the U.S. was forewarned by Israel but did not participate in the strikes.
Fox News Digital’s reports from the ground indicated that commercial airlines began altering their flight paths over western Iran in the early hours of Friday. This adjustment coincided with reports from semi-official news agencies about heard explosions near Isfahan’s international airport and major military airbases.
Amid these developments, Iran took the precautionary step of grounding commercial flights across Tehran and its central regions. This action followed increased military activity and raised alarms about potential further escalations.
While the Pentagon has yet to confirm the strikes, officials at the White House and National Security Council have refrained from commenting on the ongoing situation. This cautious stance highlights the delicate balance of international relations currently at play.
The weekend’s events were themselves a response to an earlier Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate, which resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including a high-ranking general. This marked one of the few direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, deviating from the usual pattern of proxy warfare that has characterized much of their indirect engagements across the Middle East.
As regional tensions continue to mount, the international community watches closely. The strategic implications of these strikes, coupled with the potential for further retaliation, underscore a critical moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics
