RT.com/Big News Network
31 Jan 2023, 02:10 GMT+10
Israel was behind Sunday morning's drone strike on an Iranian munitions facility; the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing American officials. The strike, which Iran says it thwarted, came after the US and Israel held a series of meetings and military exercises.
One explosives-laden drone was shot down by an Iranian air defense system while two others crashed into a protective mesh above a military workshop in the city of Isfahan in the early hours of the morning, Iran's Defense Ministry said.
"This unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop's roof," the ministry stressed, according to state media outlet IRNA. Tehran did not initially blame the attack on Israel.
However, unnamed US officials and other "people familiar with the operation" told the Wall Street Journal that Israel and the Mossad was responsible for the strike. The Israeli military has not officially confirmed its involvement, in keeping with its usual policy of silence following attacks on foreign targets. The Jerusalem Post on Monday reported the attack was a 'phenomenal success,' disputing Tehran's claims. The Post report cited Western intelligence and foreign sources.
The attack came after CIA Director William Burns made an unannounced visit to Israel last week to discuss Iran. While the specifics of his discussion with his Israeli counterparts are unknown, Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Israel Defense Forces' chief of staff, told the Wall Street Journal last week that the US and Israel were readying "offensive capabilities" for use against the Islamic Republic.
These "capabilities" were demonstrated last week when the two allies held their largest-ever joint military drills, in which they practiced mid-air refueling and strikes against air-defense systems.
Washington has accused Tehran of supporting Russia's military operation in Ukraine by supplying 'kamikaze' drones. While Russia and Iran officially denied this, both nations have drawn closer together since the Ukrainian conflict began, increasing their trade turnover during 2022 and integrating their bank card systems earlier this month.
Gen. Halevi said that the US and Israel are explicitly aiming to "limit the bad actions that Iran is taking all over the world," including its "negative contribution" to the conflict in Ukraine.
Sunday's drone strikes happened amid reports on social media of explosions across the Islamic Republic. A blast occurred at an oil production plant in the northwestern city of Azarshahr in the province of East Azerbaijan, while a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the province at the same time. The oil plant explosion has not been blamed on foul play.
(RT.com/Big News Network).
Get a daily dose of The UK News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to The UK News.
More InformationMENINDEE, Australia: After recent floods and hot weather, millions of dead fish have washed up in southeastern Australia, which authorities ...
BOISE, Idaho: Under a bill passed by the Idaho Legislature thios with a veto-proof majority, the state will allow firing ...
SACRAMENTO, California: The state of California and generic drug manufacturer Civica have announced a 10-year partnership to produce affordable, state-branded ...
CHEYENNE, Wyoming: A Wyoming bill outlawing the use or prescription of medication abortion pills, which was passed by the state's ...
DENVER, Colorado: The Southern Nevada Water Authority has voted to accept a $2.4 million grant from the US Bureau of ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US government has reported that the exceptionally wet winter in California this year will offer relief from ...
Leigh Finke began her role as a US state representative less than three months agoLeigh Finke, a transgender former journalist ...
Austin FC acquired defender Aleksandar Radovanovic on loan from KV Kortrijk of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. The agreement runs ...
Berlin [Germany], March 22 (ANI): Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement at the ...
Brussels [Belgium], March 22 (ANI): Manchester City's star mid-fielder Kevin De Bruyne has been named the captain of Belgium after ...
Paris [France], March 22 (ANI): Kylian Mbappe, a player who has become one of the most decorated strikers in football, ...
Manchester [United Kingdom], March 22 (ANI): World Cup winner, the next Argentine sensation in making 23-year-old striker Julian Alvarez has ...