Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani revealed that Israel gave a warning to the U.S. about a drone attack drone attack on Iran Friday morning, aimed at an air base and a nuclear site in central Iran.
Iranian air defense systems became active after explosions were heard near the air base in the central city of Isfahan, according to the Associated Press. The U.S. informed the Group of Seven foreign ministers that it was notified by Israel at the last minute about the drone attack. However, the U.S. did not participate in the attack, as it was only given information about it, the foreign minister stated.
Tajani said Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to the suspected Israeli strikes as “reported events” during a press conference in Italy on Friday, and emphasized that the U.S. was not engaged in any offensive operations.
Both countries’ officials and television networks downplayed the strikes, as reported by The New York Times. Israel stated that the response was limited to avoid escalating the situation. Meanwhile, a newsreader on Iranian state TV mentioned that the attack was “not a big deal.”
The apparent Israeli strikes were in response to Iran’s recent missiles-and-drone attack. Israel and its allies' defense system largely neutralized Iran’s attack by intercepting the incoming missiles.
The Iranian attack on Israel was a retaliatory assault following Israel’s early April strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of multiple high-ranking commanders. The New York Times reported. Israel said the response was limited to prevent escalating the situation. A newsreader on Iranian state TV said the attack was “not a big deal.”
The apparent Israeli strike were in response to Iran’s missiles-and-drone attack over the weekend. Iran’s attack was largely neutralized with Israel’s and allied defense system which shot down incoming missiles.
Iran’s attack on Israel came as a retaliatory assault to Israel’s early April strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria, which killed multiple high-ranking commanders.
