Iran's air defenses spring into action: Drones over Isfahan pose no threat
5:21 AM EDT, April 19, 2024
Nuclear facilities in the Isfahan province remained unharmed, Iranian state television reported on Friday after air defense systems were activated in the city against suspected drones. "No damage was caused as a result of the overnight attack," Siavosh Mihandoust, a commander of the Iranian army, stated on state television.
Mihandoust explained that the noise heard at night in Isfahan was due to the air defense systems targeting a "suspicious object."
In the early hours of Friday, Iran activated its air defense batteries in response to reports of explosions near Isfahan. These reports were conveyed by the state news agency IRNA.
IRNA mentioned that air defense systems were fired in several provinces. The semi-official news agencies Fars and Tasnim reported sounds of explosions but did not specify their cause. State television confirmed a "loud noise" was heard near Isfahan.
Isfahan houses the Iranian army's main airbase, along with sites connected to its nuclear program.
The Iranian authorities have announced the suspension of commercial flights in Tehran and the western and central regions of the country.
Hossein Dalirian, a spokesperson for Iran's civilian space program, reported on the social media platform X that several small "quadcopter" type drones were neutralized. The precise location of this incident and its connection to larger events in Iran remains uncertain.