Iranian media and social media reported minor explosions near Isfahan,[13] where Iran has nuclear facilities, a drone manufacturing facility, and a major airbase.[14][10]Iranian state media said that Israeli drones flying over the region were shot down by the Iranian Air Defense Force.[15][16] Three Iranian officials confirmed to The New York Times that Israel was involved.[17] US officials confirmed that at least three missiles from Israeli aircraft had struck Iran.[18] No strikes were reported on Iran's nuclear sites.[10]
According to a senior US official speaking to ABC News, Israeli aircraft, operating beyond Iran's borders, launched three missiles targeting an air defense radar site guarding the Natanz nuclear facility. The official further stated that the assessment indicated the successful destruction of the targeted site. He also said that the objective of the strike was to communicate to Iran Israel's capabilities without escalating tensions further.[1] An Iranian official told Reuters that the explosions were from Israeli drones being shot down, and claimed that there had been no missile attack on Iran.[19]
^Hafezi, Parisa (19 April 2024). "Tehran plays down reported Israeli attacks, signals no retaliation". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024. Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defenses hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan in central Iran.