Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency has said air defence batteries have been fired in several provinces; Israel carried out an operation in Iran tonight, a person familiar with the matter tells our US partner network NBC News. Israel carried out an operation in Iran tonight, source tells NBC News. They added separately that Israeli officials notified US officials today that a response was coming.

Analysis: How Did Israel Attack Iran?

As we continue to hear information about the apparent Israeli attack on Iran this morning, our military analyst Michael Clarke has been exploring what may have happened. Iranian state media has said the country’s defence system was fired and three drones were shot down over the central city of Isfahan – home to a nuclear site and a military airbase. Clarke said Isfahan “would make sense” as a target because it is an “important” area, used by Iran as a nuclear research site.

“The fact that Isfahan is one of the cities that does quite a lot of nuclear work is also symbolically quite important, I think, if the Israelis are indicating that they’re not frightened to go after these sites,” he said. There have also been reports of explosions in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz, which he said might also be important. He said a lot of silos are located in the city, which are used to store ballistic missiles. “If it is the case that both Isfahan and Tabriz have been attacked, it would look like the Israelis are going after certain targets that would be directly related to the attack last weekend when more than 300 drones and missiles were launched against Israel,” he added.

Clarke added it is also “very unlikely” to be a drone attack because Isfahan is over 1,000 miles away from Israel. “Nobody in their right minds would send drones a thousand miles to deliver a very small payload,” he said. Instead, he believes it is likely Jericho missiles have been used, which can carry a 1,000kg warhead.

No Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Sites

There has been no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites during this morning’s alleged attack by Israel, the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it is monitoring the situation “very closely” and calls for “extreme restraint”.  ‘Blasts’ shown over Iran – Footage purporting to show blasts over Iran has started appearing on Telegram. This clip was shared by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and appears to show blasts of light over Isfahan in central Iran.

A major military airbase is known to be situated in the city. State media has said Iran fired its air defences after reports of explosions. The Israel Defence Forces has declined to comment on reports of strikes. Vessels told to stay alert in case of drone activity, security firm says -Vessels in the Arabian Gulf and the Western Indian Ocean have been told to stay alert this morning, a British security firm has said. Ambrey reported merchant vessels transiting the waters had been given a warning in case of increased activity from uncrewed aerial vehicles, more commonly known as drones, in the region.

The Arabian Gulf, also known as the Persian Gulf, lies between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran. Israel assessing damage of strike – source – Some more details are coming through about Israel’s apparent operation in Iran overnight. A source familiar with the situation has described the operation as a strike. Speaking to our US partner NBC News, they said Israel was currently assessing its effectiveness and the damage it has caused.

Courtesy: Sky News