RT.com/Big News Network
31 Jan 2023, 02:10 GMT+10
Israel was behind Sunday morning's drone strike on an Iranian munitions facility; the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing American officials. The strike, which Iran says it thwarted, came after the US and Israel held a series of meetings and military exercises.
One explosives-laden drone was shot down by an Iranian air defense system while two others crashed into a protective mesh above a military workshop in the city of Isfahan in the early hours of the morning, Iran's Defense Ministry said.
"This unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop's roof," the ministry stressed, according to state media outlet IRNA. Tehran did not initially blame the attack on Israel.
However, unnamed US officials and other "people familiar with the operation" told the Wall Street Journal that Israel and the Mossad was responsible for the strike. The Israeli military has not officially confirmed its involvement, in keeping with its usual policy of silence following attacks on foreign targets. The Jerusalem Post on Monday reported the attack was a 'phenomenal success,' disputing Tehran's claims. The Post report cited Western intelligence and foreign sources.
The attack came after CIA Director William Burns made an unannounced visit to Israel last week to discuss Iran. While the specifics of his discussion with his Israeli counterparts are unknown, Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Israel Defense Forces' chief of staff, told the Wall Street Journal last week that the US and Israel were readying "offensive capabilities" for use against the Islamic Republic.
These "capabilities" were demonstrated last week when the two allies held their largest-ever joint military drills, in which they practiced mid-air refueling and strikes against air-defense systems.
Washington has accused Tehran of supporting Russia's military operation in Ukraine by supplying 'kamikaze' drones. While Russia and Iran officially denied this, both nations have drawn closer together since the Ukrainian conflict began, increasing their trade turnover during 2022 and integrating their bank card systems earlier this month.
Gen. Halevi said that the US and Israel are explicitly aiming to "limit the bad actions that Iran is taking all over the world," including its "negative contribution" to the conflict in Ukraine.
Sunday's drone strikes happened amid reports on social media of explosions across the Islamic Republic. A blast occurred at an oil production plant in the northwestern city of Azarshahr in the province of East Azerbaijan, while a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the province at the same time. The oil plant explosion has not been blamed on foul play.
(RT.com/Big News Network).
Get a daily dose of Iran Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iran Herald.
More InformationLONDON, England: Reuters has reported that struggling Virgin Orbit, owned by billionaire Richard Branson, is nearing a $200-million investment deal ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: To comply with the requirements of the "Made in America" laws, a $7.5 billion federal ...
LONDON, England: During a Bloomberg conference held in London this week, Luke Ellis, CEO of hedge fund Man Group, said ...
NEW YORK, New York - Wall Street jumped on Friday, although gains were modest after bank shares in Europe came ...
LOS ANGELES, California: Some 30,000 education workers in Los Angeles, backed by teachers, went on a three-day strike, canceling school ...
LONDON, England: Despite rising air fares, a potential global economic recession and risks of gridlock at some airports in Europe ...
JERUSALEM - Israel's defense minister became the first ally in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to break ranks Saturday as ...
Jerusalem - A drive by the hard-right coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enact sweeping changes to Israel's ...
MUQDADIYAH, Iraq - Hussein Maytham and his family were driving past the palm tree grove near their home after shopping ...
Brussels is reportedly concerned about an uptick in dual-use items being shipped to Central AsiaThe EU may introduce trade restrictions ...
BEIRUT - Iran-backed fighters were on alert in eastern Syria on Saturday, a day after U.S. forces launched retaliatory airstrikes ...
Tamil Nadu (Chennai) [India], March 25 (ANI): The second G20 Framework Working Group (FWG) meeting under India's G20 Presidency concluded ...