Israeli missiles struck a location in Iran, as confirmed by a US official to ABC News. The official could not verify if sites in Syria and Iraq were also targeted.
Three explosions have been reported in the Isfahan region of Iran, where crucial nuclear facilities were recently closed down due to security concerns. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told ABC that the facilities were not damaged, and a statement released by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reiterated “that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts."
A "well-placed" US military source told Fox News that the strikes are "limited in nature."
The US official confirmed the strike after reports from local sources indicated explosions in Isfahan, central Iran, and in the As-Suwayda Governorate of southern Syria, as well as in the Baghdad area and Babil Governorate of Iraq, early on Friday morning.
Iranian did not address any missile attack, according to CNN, and told the outlet the explosions were caused by air defense systems shooting down three drones over the city of Isfahan.
Isfahan is a major city of 2.2 million people and is home to the Khatami Air Base.
Hezbollah's second in command Naim Qassem told NBC News that they will escalate if Israel escalates, in response to a question about the possibility of an Israel strike.
Following a drone and missile attack by Iran on Saturday night against Israel, Israel vowed to retaliate. This Iranian strike was purportedly in response to an alleged Israeli airstrike targeting a building near the Iranian embassy in Damascus, resulting in the death of Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior IRGC commander overseeing Iran's operations in Syria and Lebanon.
Before the Iranian attack on Israel, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that Israel "could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened.”
After the Iranian attack, President Biden stated "I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel."
In recent days, however, Biden has urged the need for de-escalation.
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