Fears of war in the Middle East eased last night after Iran said it would not retaliate following Israeli missile attacks near its nuclear facilities.
Israel’s quiet show of force, which was criticized by hardline members of its coalition government, came after Iran sent 300 missiles and drones toward the Jewish state last Saturday.
There were no casualties in the Israeli attack, which occurred on the 85th birthday of the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. It focused on Isfahan province, where several nuclear facilities, missile factories and an air base are located. None of the nuclear sites were damaged.
More explosions were reported near the northern city of Tabriz.
Iranian state television said: “Three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan.
A map showing reported explosions in Iran. Following Israel’s retaliation, Rishi Sunak led international calls for a de-escalation of tension, urging that “calm heads prevail.”
Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of ​​Isfahan, Iran. In recent weeks, tit-for-tat exchanges between regional powers have threatened to spark a full-blown conflict.
Images posted on social media appear to show anti-aircraft fire over the city of Isfahan in Iran. The attack focused on Isfahan province, where several nuclear facilities, missile factories and an air base are located.
“The air defense system was activated and destroyed these drones in the sky.”
Following Israel’s retaliation, Rishi Sunak led international calls for a de-escalation of tension, urging that “calm heads prevail.”
In recent weeks, tit-for-tat exchanges between regional powers have threatened to spark a full-blown conflict.
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.
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. Surprisingly, there were no fatalities.
The magnitude of the Iranian attack led ultranationalist members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to call for Israel to “go crazy.” However, it appeared that yesterday’s action was intended to signal Israel’s ability to strike sensitive targets inside Iran, rather than cause any damage.
Footage released appearing to show a missile attack in Isfahan. It appeared that yesterday’s action was intended to signal Israel’s ability to attack sensitive targets inside Iran, rather than cause any damage.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. There were no casualties in the Israeli attack, which occurred on the 85th birthday of the country’s supreme leader.
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.
National Security Minister Ben Gvir could not hide his disappointment, describing the attacks as “unconvincing.”
In another conciliatory move, Israel also gave the United States a last-minute warning before launching the attack, US sources said yesterday. The warning may have been intended to appease US President Joe Biden, who had pleaded with Israel not to escalate the conflict.
Speaking yesterday at the G7 political conference held in Italy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted that the United States had not participated.
Israel’s former ambassador to the United States, Itamar Rabinovich, said the country had “tried to calibrate between the need to respond and the desire not to enter a cycle of action and counterreaction that would simply escalate endlessly.”
Last night, international diplomats were seeking further assurances from both countries that attacks and counterattacks would cease.
Instead, they want to focus on preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. After seven months of conflict, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are said to face hunger and serious illness.
The Hamas-led Palestinian Health Ministry claimed yesterday that more than 30,000 people have been killed since the terrorist group’s murderous attack on Israel on October 7, which left 1,139 Israelis dead.
National Security Minister Ben Gvir (pictured) could not hide his disappointment at Israel’s response, describing the attacks as “unconvincing”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “it is time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East.” He also called on the international community to prevent new developments that could have “devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.”
Last night, experts took different views on the evolution of the conflict, with one suggesting that Israel could engage in a “series of attacks dispersed over time”, adopting a “death by a thousand cuts” strategy.
Dr Andreas Krieg, a Middle East security expert, told the Mail: ‘I think a protracted but manageable conflict is in Netanyahu’s interests.
‘That can be achieved by expanding the conflict with the Iranian Axis of Resistance. This is a low-risk conflict that keeps Israel on high alert without the risk of becoming existential.
“Israel could decide to launch a series of attacks dispersed over time that are individually so insignificant that Iran does not have to respond… a ‘death by a thousand cuts’ strategy, which is difficult to deter.”
Andrew Borene of threat intelligence firm Flashpoint said: “It appears that Israel and Iran are now engaged in a very dangerous game of bilateral brinkmanship.”
Yossi Mekelberg of international relations think tank Chatham House said: “Wherever Israel looks right now, it sees Iran on its borders, even though Iran has no borders with Israel.”