Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil, resulting in explosions reported by Iranian media. However, an Iranian official stated that these explosions were caused by air defense systems. The United States received notification before Israel’s attack, which came after Iran launched a strike on Israel with drones and missiles. Washington and other global powers urged Israel to limit any retaliation to prevent further escalation. The latest surge in violence began with an air strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1, blamed on Israel.
The senior Iranian official expressed doubt about Israel’s responsibility for the attack, suggesting it may have been an infiltration rather than an external attack. Iran did not have immediate plans to strike back, and state media had a subdued response to the attack. There was no mention of Israel in official comments, and analysts dismissed the incident as involving mini drones flown by infiltrators from within Iran that were shot down by air defenses in Isfahan. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel of a severe response to any attack on its territory.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that there was no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites in the alleged attack by Israel. Tehran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, while the West believes it is aimed at building a weapon. Iran closed its airports in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan after the attack, reopening them later. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem restricted government employees’ travel outside certain areas and warned U.S. citizens of the need for caution due to security incidents.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated further, with the latter’s support for Hamas triggering Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The conflict has claimed many lives on both sides, with Israel’s military offensive resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians in Gaza. Iran-backed groups have declared support for Palestinians and launched attacks from various countries, heightening fears of a wider regional war. The situation remains tense, with concerns about disruptions to Middle East supply and the potential for further violence. Shares and bond yields sank in Asia trade while safe-haven currencies, gold, and crude oil saw gains in response to the escalations in conflict.
