Israel-Iran tensions live: Air defence systems activated across multiple cities following explosions near Iran’s Isfahan

Police said Friday they found no weapons on a man detained at the Iranian consulate in Paris after responding to a report of a suspicious man possibly carrying a grenade and explosives vest.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.

The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received “last minute” information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italy’s foreign minister said.

“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,” said a statement issued by foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major powers on Friday.

Gold prices rose on Friday and were poised for a fifth straight weekly gain as investors flocked towards the safe-haven asset as the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel fuelled fears of a wider regional conflict, reported Reuters.

Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying.

Following reports of Israel’s attack on Iran, investors sought refuge in safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen, causing a surge in their value. This move was triggered by concerns over escalating tensions between the two countries, which pushed up oil prices and instilled caution in global markets.

Iran Israel News Live: A senior Iranian official informed news agency Reuters on Friday that Iran currently has “no immediate plans for retaliation against Israel,” following reports of an Israeli attack on Iranian territory earlier in the day.

“The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack,” the Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.

Iran Israel News Live: Deputy French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Friday that France is urging “de-escalation in the Middle East crisis” in response to reports of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory earlier in the day.

“All I can say is that France’s position is to call on all actors for de-escalation and restraint,” Barrot told Sud Radio.

(With Reuters inputs)

Iran Israel News Live: The US embassy in Israel on Friday advised its staff and their families to limit their movements after reports of an Israeli strike in Iran, news agency AFP reported.

“Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv” area as well as the Jerusalem and Beersheva areas “until further notice,” a security advisory issued by the mission on its website said.

Because of a “complex” security situation that “can change rapidly,” the embassy stated that it “might impose additional restrictions or prohibit” individuals from travelling to certain areas of Israel, Jerusalem’s Old City, and the occupied West Bank, according to the advisory.

Iran Israel News Live: Iranian media on Friday refuted claims of a foreign attack following reported explosions near Isfahan, stating, “There are no reports of an attack from abroad against Isfahan or any other part of Iran,” according to Tasnim news agency, citing “informed sources”.

It is uncertain if the country was attacked, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged it, and Israel’s military didn’t comment.

Tensions rose after the Saturday assault on Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza and strikes on Iran in Syria.

US officials didn’t comment, but unnamed sources suggested Israel was responsible, as reported by American broadcast networks and The New York Times, citing anonymous Israeli officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran Israel News Live: Israel conducted an attack on Iranian land on Friday, according to reports, marking the latest exchange in the ongoing conflict between the two adversaries. 

– Iranian state TV reported that “three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan” shortly after midnight on Friday. 

– The air defence system “destroyed these drones in the sky.” 

– Senior army commander Siavosh Mihandoust stated on state TV that air defence systems had targeted a “suspicious object.” 

– Iranian media reported explosions, which an Iranian official clarified to Reuters were caused by air defense systems. 

– State media confirmed that “three drones over the central city of Isfahan had been shot down.” 

– The United States received notification before Israel’s attack, as confirmed by a source familiar with the situation to Reuters. 

– This attack followed Iran’s recent strike on Israel, involving “a barrage of drones and missiles,” most of which were intercepted. 

– Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had previously warned Israel that Tehran would deliver a “severe response” to any attack on its territory.

(With Reuters inputs)

Iran Israel News Live: Tehran’s two main airports resumed flight operations on Friday after a temporary suspension following reports of explosions in central Iran, news agency AFP reported citing state media.

“Flights through Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports have resumed,” the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran Israel News Live: US officials said that while they received ‘advance warning’ of Israel’s reported strike on Iran, they did not endorse or participate in its execution, according to news agency AFP.

According to NBC and CNN, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Israel had provided pre-notification of the strike to Washington. Multiple networks reported officials confirming a strike inside Iran, with CNN quoting one official clarifying that the target was not a nuclear facility.

Additionally, Israel informed the US on Thursday of its intention to retaliate against Iran in the near future, as reported by a senior US official to CNN.

“We didn’t endorse the response,” the official said, according to CNN.

There was no immediate comment from the White House about the Israeli strike.

(With AFP inputs)

Iran Israel News Live: Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announces lifting flight restrictions at several airports, as reported by Reuters, citing the Iranian news agency Tasnim.

Earlier today, Reuters, citing FlightRadar24, reported temporary closures of airports in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, with the potential for extensions.

Flights in the western half of Iran have been authorised for departure. Turkish Airlines and Emirates flights bound for Tehran were observed returning to their departure points, while an Iran Air flight from Rome to Tehran was diverted to Ankara, Turkey.

Iran Israel News Live: US officials reportedly verified that Israel conducted military actions against Iran, although the specifics of these operations were not disclosed.

– They indicated that Israel forewarned the Biden administration on Thursday of an impending strike within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to CNN, Israeli officials assured their American counterparts that the attack would not target Iran’s nuclear facilities.

– Iranian state media confirmed only that air defences engaged drones in Isfahan province and successfully intercepted them.

– Additionally, Iranian reports mentioned air defence activities in the vicinity of Tabriz.

1979: Iran’s Islamic Revolution topples pro-Western leader, establishing anti-Israel theocratic regime.

1982: Iran aids Hezbollah’s formation during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. 1983: Hezbollah expels Western and Israeli forces from Lebanon via suicide bombings.

1992-94: Argentina and Israel accuse Iran and Hezbollah of embassy and Jewish center bombings in Buenos Aires.

2002: Revelation of Iran’s secret uranium enrichment program raises nuclear concerns.

2006: Israel engages in month-long war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

2009: Iranian Supreme Leader denounces Israel as a “dangerous and fatal cancer.”

2010: Stuxnet virus, believed developed by U.S. and Israel, targets Iran’s Natanz nuclear site.

2012: Iranian nuclear scientist killed in Tehran, blamed on Israel.

2018: Israel praises U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, strikes Iranian military infrastructure in Syria.

2020: Israel applauds the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani; Iran retaliates with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq.

2021: Iran accuses Israel of assassinating nuclear scientist Fakhrizadeh. 2022: U.S. and Israel pledge to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

2024: Suspected Israeli airstrike on Iranian embassy in Damascus kills senior Revolutionary Guard officers.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Iran Israel News Live: Explosions observed thus far appear to have targeted a ‘major Iranian base’, the Shahid Salami airbase, located in Isfahan, The Guardian reported.

– Additional reports suggest explosions occurring in southern Syria and Iraq, although details are currently limited.

– According to the Mehr news agency, there are indications of flight suspensions to Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and all other airports in western Iran.

– Despite the ongoing developments, Israeli sources have yet to issue an official statement, especially as the country approaches the Passover holidays. However, sirens were reportedly heard in southern Israel.

Iran Israel News Live: Sources informed the semi-official Fars news agency on Friday that air defence systems in the Iranian city of Isfahan were triggered in response to “an object suspected to be a drone,” as reported by Reuters.

– According to state media, Iran activated its air defence system across multiple cities following reports of explosions near the central city of Isfahan.

– Israel had previously issued a warning of retaliatory action after Iran launched numerous missiles and drones towards Israel over the weekend. The majority of these projectiles were successfully intercepted.

– This attack followed an incident at Iran’s consulate in Damascus, widely attributed to Israel.

Iran Israel News Live: Israeli missiles had targeted a location in Iran following Iran’s recent drone strike on Israel in retaliation for an attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, ABC News reported late Thursday.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported explosions heard at an airport in the city of Isfahan, but the cause remained unclear.

Isfahan province is home to numerous Iranian nuclear sites, including Natanz, which is crucial to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts.

Associated Press said that several flights had been rerouted over Iranian airspace.