On Friday, Israel launched a counterstrike against Iran, according to reports from various sources including ABC News, CBS News, and The New York Times. Israeli defense sources have confirmed the strike, but the Israeli Armed Forces have not yet made a statement on the matter. The extent of the attack is not yet known, but it is believed to have targeted an air base near Isfahan.
An Israeli official source told The Washington Post that the purpose of the attack was to demonstrate Israel’s ability to carry out strikes inside Iran. Iranian state media reported explosions or sounds near Isfahan, with some sources suggesting it was a missile strike, while others denied this claim.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the attack did not damage Iran’s nuclear facilities. The United States and several other countries have urged both Israel and Iran to de-escalate the situation and avoid further conflict in the Middle East. Tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating for years, with counterstrikes by both parties becoming increasingly frequent.
European countries, China, Japan, and Arab nations have also called for restraint to prevent the situation from worsening. The US has advised its embassy personnel in Israel to limit their movements due to concerns about potential retaliation from Iran. Reports suggest that the US was aware of the attack in advance and held discussions on Iran’s actions overnight before it took place.
The attacks by Israel and Iran are seen as a critical moment that could lead to open warfare in the Middle East if tensions continue to escalate unchecked. Various countries have come forward to call for peace and de-escalation in order to avoid further repercussions from this conflict.
