Early on April 19, 2024, Israel responded to the drone and missile attack launched against its territory by Iran on April 13, 2024. Several explosions were reported in central Iran.
The Fars news agency reported three blasts heard near Shekari Air Base in Qahjavarestan, between Isfahan and its airport. The base notably hosts the fleet of F-14 Tomcat fighters operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. It stated that the air defense had activated against a possible drone and another suspicious flying object in Tabriz, a few kilometers from a refinery.
The city of Isfahan, located in the center of Iran, hosts several military sites, including those of a nuclear and ballistic type. Nevertheless, Tehran has tried to downplay the extent of the event. Iranian authorities claim that drones have been shot down and that there has been no missile attack so far. An Iranian official told CNN that the explosions were related to air defense shots against a suspicious object and that there had been no damage or incident. However, unconfirmed videos filmed by witnesses show the result of an explosion.
Initial but unverified videos coming in of an explosion in Isfahan, Iran. pic.twitter.com/V0Hoh3y0vo
— Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) April 19, 2024
Iran has activated its air defense in several other provinces across the country, but no significant damage or explosion has been reported, according to state news agency Irna. Flights from Tehran- Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) have been temporarily suspended, and travelers asked to evacuate the airport as a precautionary measure.
Israeli authorities did not officially confirm a strike. The foreign ministers of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) called on all parties to “prevent further escalation” in the Middle East.
During the night of April 13 – 14, 2024, Iran launched an attack using at least 300 missiles and drones against Israel. The attack was carried out in response to the destruction of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, 2024, by an Israeli strike that killed an Iranian military commander.