According to multiple media outlets, explosions were reported inside Iran, while unconfirmed reports indicate that multiple sites in Iran were attacked by Israel.
US officials confirmed to CBS News., CNNand ABC News The attack was claimed by Israel in response to recent Iranian airstrikes in Israel. A U.S. official told CNN that the attack did not target nuclear weapons or civilians.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that the explosion occurred near the city of Isfahan in central Iran. Iranian state news agency Press TV Explosions have also been reported In Isfahan.
Other unconfirmed reports suggest possible attacks near the cities of Daraa in Syria and Baghdad in Iraq.
Early Friday morning local time, the plane was being diverted around western Iran. According to the Associated Press.
It is not clear what the immediate target was, but Isfahan is home to Iranian nuclear facilities and facilities.
Iran warned earlier Thursday that targeting its nuclear facilities could result in changes to Tehran’s nuclear “doctrine.” Tehran does not have nuclear weapons, but it does have enriched uranium and the ability to obtain it.
The Israeli attack is likely to further escalate tensions in the Middle East, which is already embroiled in conflicts in the Gaza Strip, northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials pledged earlier this week to respond to Iran’s barrage of about 300 missiles and drones into Israel over the weekend.
The attack, which was largely defeated by Israeli and allied defense systems, was carried out in retaliation for an alleged Israeli attack near the Iranian embassy in Syria that killed two senior commanders. .
The Biden administration has put pressure on Israel not to respond to Iran, but Israeli officials have publicly insisted they must respond to such brazen Iranian attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran has publicly warned that any attack by Israel would be met with a much harsher response than last weekend’s attacks.
Updated at 11:05 PM ET.
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