Iran Downplays Reports of 'Israeli' Air Attacks Overnight

According to satellite images obtained by CNN, there is not any extensive damage at an air base purportedly targeted by an Israeli military strike.

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite images were taken around 10:18 a.m. local time (06:48 GMT).

Initial analysis of satellite imagery reveals no large craters or visibly destroyed buildings in the complex. However, due to cloud cover, further investigation using high-resolution satellite imagery with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is necessary. Unlike standard satellite images, SAR utilizes radar beams that penetrate clouds, allowing for ground observation. These radar beams bounce off objects, creating detailed data for analysis.

IRGC-affiliated FARS said that an army radar at the Esfahan province military base was one of the possible targets, and that the only damage from the attack was broken windows on several office buildings.

According to the CNN, the Iranian F-14 Tomcats that have been stationed at the air base in the past are not there any more. Additional archival satellite imageryshows that the F-14 Tomcats have not been there for some time.

Aviation Expert Navid Ghadiri Anarki says enhanced security measures taken by airlines, including suspension of flights and restrictions on using the Iranian airspace, will last for at least another two weeks.

Speaking to Iran International on Friday, he said that “although the disruptions would incur a heavy cost on airlines, flight and passenger safety is a priority for them."

In response to the question of whether such measures are always taken in wartime, he said that after the shooting down of the Ukrainian flight PS752 by the IRGC, the world's trust in the Islamic Republic's adherence to international aviation laws has diminished.

Flight PS752 was shot down by two air-defense missiles fired by the IRGC shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8, 2020. The attack occurred in the aftermath of the IRGC's missile strikes on Iraqi bases hosting US troops, conducted in retaliation for the killing of IRGC Quds Force Commander Ghasem Soleimani in a US drone strike just five days earlier.

All 176 passengers and crew members, including 63 Canadians, 10 Swedes, and 82 Iranian citizens, lost their lives in the disaster.

Iran’s former top diplomat has described the Israeli attack on Esfahan as “reckless fireworks,” urging countries to focus on ending “Israeli transgressions.”

“In light of today's reckless fireworks in Esfahan (Isfahan), all countries and leaders should focus on ending Israeli transgressions, particularly its war on Gaza,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said on X.

Amid threats on tit-for-tat attacks on nuclear sites, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Friday that targeting a nuclear facility is “playing with fire.”

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi told Sky News, “We have our teams of inspectors who are permanently working in Iran in all the nuclear sites of the country and of course, through the night we were following with great attention what was going on there.” 

“Fortunately we were able to confirm early this morning that after these attacks that there has not been any damage to these sites,” he added.

Grossi also urging everyone to “exercise maximum restraint,” underlining that “Targeting a nuclear facility, apart from being forbidden by international law, is playing with fire."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a video speech today without making any mention of its strike on Iran.

Focusing mainly on hostages held by Hamas, Herzog said this year’s Passover will not be the same without them. 

“We all remember and remind in the deepest way that the covenant between the state and its citizens obligates us to act in every way, with creativity, determination, and courage, to bring the daughters and sons home,” he said.

Direct state-to-state strikes between Israel and Iran are “over,” a regional intelligence source tells CNN.

The source speculates that Iran won’t respond to last night’s alleged Israeli strike in Isfahan.

Mehdi Toghyani, a lawmaker representing Esfahan at the parliament, says the “desperate attempt” from Israel “with the help of local agents” had failed.

“The Zionist regime's desperate attempt, with the help of local agents, to carry out an attack using several small drones on one of Esfahan's military bases, failed and brought them further disgrace,” he said on X.

“Know that we are fully prepared to defend our beloved Iran.”

Although both Iran and Israel are somewhat silent about the attack, Iranian media say some small drones were intercepted over Esfahan and Israeli media focus on the symbolic aspect of the attack. Analysts say the attack sent a message to Tehran that Israel can attack deep within Iranian territory without restraint, implying that Israel can attack Iran's nuclear facilities -- not far from the reported location of the strike -- but chose not to on this occasion.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to comment on the overnight attack in Iran, insisting that Washington is not involved in any offensive operation.

“I’m not going to speak to that, except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operation,” Blinken told reporters in Capri, where he attended the G7 meeting.

He underlined that the US is committed to Israel’s security and to “de-escalation” in the Middle East.

Earlier in the day, Italy’s foreign minister revealed that the US received “last minute” information from Israel about an attack on Iran. 

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters in Capri that the US told the G7 ministers at a morning session that it had been “informed at the last minute.”

Both Iran and Israel are downplaying the Friday Attack.

During his speech on Friday noon, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made no mention of the attack on Esfahan. However, he did talk about the April 13 attack on Israel.

“Operation True Promise (Iran’s codename for the attack) led to authority, unity and cohesion in the country,” Raisi said. “Today, all political groups and factions believe that this response was necessary and a big honor for the country.”

Iran’s army has said several small drones were intercepted over an airbase in Esfahan, noting that the incident is being investigated and further information will be made public later.

Several international airlines have canceled flights in and out of Tel Aviv, hours after reports of the Israeli strike on an Iranian airbase in Esfahan (Isfahan).

KLM, Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa have canceled today’s flights to and from Israel, according to Channel 12. Flight schedules were disrupted over the past week as airlines reacted to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel overnight Saturday.

Iran has no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters Friday, as officials in Jerusalem indicated that the alleged drone attack was meant to send a signal rather than cause damage.

In a strong stance against Iran, G7 foreign ministers vowed to hold the country accountable for its actions in the Middle East, which they condemn as "malicious and destabilizing."

The ministers also warned on "new and significant measures" against Iran if it supplies ballistic missiles to Russia.

The G7 foreign ministers' statement also urged Iran and Israel to avoid any further escalation.

"In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end," added the statement issued by the ministers on Friday at the end of a three-day summit on the island of Capri.