Two United States officials confirmed to CBS News that Israel has launched a missile strike on Iran. This follows a significant drone and missile assault by Iran against Israel last weekend, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pledged to retaliate against. Details on the location and scope of the Israeli attack remain undisclosed, and the Israeli Defense Forces declined to comment.
The Bottom Line Upfront
Explosions have been reported at Iran's Shahid Salami airbase in Isfahan and in parts of southern Syria and Iraq, though details are currently limited. Additionally, flights to and from Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and other western Iranian airports have been suspended, according to Iran's Mehr news agency. There has been no official response from Israeli sources as Passover approaches, although sirens have been heard in southern Israel.
The Breakdown
Israel conducted a strike in Syria that coincided with strikes in Isfahan, Iran, with corresponding explosions in southern Syria's As-Suwayda Governorate and Iraq's Baghdad and Babil Governorates. Videos from Isfahan showed the activation of Iranian air defenses. Meanwhile, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported an unexplained explosion near Isfahan International Airport in Qahjavarestan, east of Isfahan.
U.S. officials confirmed that Israel has conducted military operations against Iran, with prior notification to the Biden administration of an impending strike within 24 to 48 hours, assuring that Iran’s nuclear facilities would not be targeted. Iranian state media reported air defenses in Isfahan province engaging and downing drones, with similar defensive actions reported around Tabriz.
Following these developments, Iran grounded flights in Tehran and other central and western areas, with announcements made at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, as shown in online videos.
Last weekend, Iran executed a large-scale attack on Israel, retaliating for an attack on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the deaths of seven officers, including two generals of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This attack involved significant ordnance but was largely intercepted by Israel and its allies.
