The drones that attacked Iran yesterday were “more like toys” and did not come from Israel, the country’s foreign minister said.
Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said were the result of air defenses targeting three drones over Isfahan, central Iran, in the early hours of Friday.
The Iranian government referred to the incident as an attack by “infiltrators” rather than Israel, ignoring the need for retaliation.
Hossein Amirabdollahian told NBC News that the drones took off from inside Iran and flew a few hundred meters before being shot down.
“They are… more like toys that our children play with, not drones,” Amirabdollahian said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said the drones that attacked Iran yesterday “were more like toys”
A map showing recent explosions reported in Iran
Iranian state media reported that the drone strikes took place on Friday. (Pictured: A man walks past a banner depicting missiles launched from a representation of the map of Iran)
Images posted on social media appear to show anti-aircraft fire over the city of Isfahan in Iran.
Live footage broadcast on Iranian state television from the urban area of Isfahan, Iran, as drones reportedly attacked the city on Friday.
“It has not been proven to us that there is a connection between them and Israel,” he said, adding that Iran was investigating the matter but that media reports were not accurate, according to information from Tehran.
Amirabdollahian warned that if Israel retaliated and acted against Iran’s interests, Tehran’s next response would be immediate and at the highest level.
‘But if not, then we’re done. We are finished,’ he stated.
The attack appeared to target an Iranian Air Force base near the city of Isfahan, in the interior of the country, but did not hit any strategic sites or cause significant damage.
Israel has not said anything about the incident. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US had not been involved in any offensive operations, while the White House said it had no comment.
Allies, including the United States, have pushed all week to ensure that any further retaliation is calibrated so as not to provoke further escalation, and Western countries have tightened sanctions against Iran to appease Israel.
There was no word from Israel on Friday about whether further action might be planned. In addition to direct attacks against Iranian territory, it has other ways to attack, including cyberattacks and attacks against Iranian proxies elsewhere.
An Iranian woman (center of photo) holds a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as others wave Iranian and Palestinian flags during an anti-Israel demonstration in Tehran.
Images posted on social media appear to show a drone attacking Isfahan
Damage caused by an airstrike that hit a building near the Iranian embassy in Damascus. The latest shadow war began on April 1 when an Israeli rocket destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing at least seven people, including senior military officials.
In recent weeks, tit-for-tat exchanges between regional powers have threatened to spark a full-blown conflict.
The latest dispute began on April 1, when an Israeli rocket destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing at least seven people, including senior military officials.
On April 13, Iran launched its first major attack against Israel. UK fighter jets joined a US-led international coalition that shot down the terrifying series of projectiles.
Israel had said it would retaliate after an attack on April 13.
Allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have pushed all week to ensure that any further retaliation is calibrated so as not to provoke further escalation, and Western countries have tightened sanctions against Iran to appease Israel.
There was no word today from Israel on whether further action could be planned.
In addition to direct attacks against Iranian territory, it has other ways to attack, including cyberattacks and attacks against Iranian proxies elsewhere.