Israel strikes back at Iran: Explosions heard following revenge attack - days after Tehran's drone assault

19 April 2024, 05:17 | Updated: 19 April 2024, 09:10

Israel strikes back at Iran: Explosions heard following revenge attack - days after Tehran's drone assault
Israel strikes back at Iran: Explosions heard following revenge attack - days after Tehran's drone assault. Picture: Alamy / LBC

By Danielle de Wolfe

Israeli missiles have struck Iran as explosions rung out following the activation of air defences on Friday morning.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Iran's air defences were triggered early on Friday in response to reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Explosions were heard just after 5am local time in the central province of Isfahan, Iranian state media has said.

Air defence intercepted three drones in the region, with no major damage sustained to buildings or facilities according to reports.

Tensions between the two states were raised following Israel’s air strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1 - a strike that killed 13 people, including two top Iranian generals.

In response, Iran fired around 300 miles and drones at Israel on Saturday, the majority of which were shot down by Israeli air defences.

A senior Iranian official has now said the country has no immediate plan for retaliation against Israel.

There has been no confirmation of the strike from Israel following reports of the explosions.

Following the strikes, Tory MP Mel Stride told Nick Ferrari at Breakfast: "The message from government is clear: deescalation is really important now."

Mel Stride on Israeli strikes against Iran

The Work and Pensions Secretary highlighted the UK's allyship following Iran's attack five days ago, but was unable to confirm whether the UK had been given advanced warnings of Friday's air strike.

It comes as US media confirmed officials in Washington were given advance warning about Israel's plans for retaliatory strikes, but asserted it not endorse the action.

"Now is the time for deescalation," Mr Stride told Nick, adding: "we are urging Israel, Iran, everyone across the region, to do that.

"Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We must not overlook the severity of what happened when Iran attacked - on a very significant scale incidentally, Israel last weekend."

Read more: Jeremy Hunt admits Britain needs to increase defence spending – but no extra cash will be given before next election

Read more: Israel 'will make own decisions' in response to Iran attack, says Benjamin Netanyahu after meeting with David Cameron

Isfahan is home to an Iranian air base with several key military sites located in the province.

It follows initial reports from Iran's state media which quoted officials denying the attacks, before rapidly revising their position.

An Iranian official told Reuters the explosions heard in Isfahan where several major military bases.
An Iranian official told Reuters the explosions heard in Isfahan where several major military bases. Picture: sentdefender/X

There have also been no reports of injuries emerging from the country, as Iranian media reinforced that all nuclear facilities remain intact.

Two US officials have also confirmed the missile strikes, according to reports from US media outlets NBC and CBS News.

Iran says that its airspace has now reopened and that it’s business as usual at all major airports in the country.

The US has now restricted travel for its embassy staff in Israel "out of an abundance of caution" following the retaliatory strikes.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which has links to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), posted a video confirming Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre remains intact.

The footage, released a matter of hours after the explosions, were accompanied by caption that : “Isfahan’s nuclear site is completely safe”.

It also shows a number of Iranian troops standing beside what looks to be an air defence system.

Isfahan is home to an Iranian air base with several key military sites located in the province.
Isfahan is home to an Iranian air base with several key military sites located in the province. Picture: Alamy

A number of videos circulating online appear to show explosions above skies of Isfahan, as Iranian air defences were activated,

Flights have been grounded and airspace remains closed across several Iranian cities.

Airspace across neighbouring Tehran was also temporarily closed following the strike, however, it has since re-opened according to news outlets in the country.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The voice of Huw Edwards has been removed from an episode of Dr Who

Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards erased from episode of Dr Who

Breaking
Elizabeth Line train drivers will go on strike

Elizabeth Line train drivers to stage series of strikes amid pay dispute

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks, block Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv during a protest calling for the release of all hostages

Hamas announces it will release Israeli hostages as planned amid fears ceasefire will collapse

The largest of the Chagos islands, Diego Garcia, the site of a joint military facility of the United Kingdom and the United States

US makes last-ditch intervention in Chagos islands negotiations amid concerns China will benefit from deal

Police at the scene after the car crashed into protesters

Horror in Munich as Mini ploughs into demonstrators leaving 20 injured hours before world security conference

Exclusive
'It's not a witch hunt, we want accountability,' Barnaby Webber's mother has said.

'It's not a witch hunt,' says mother of Nottingham attack victim as she calls for 'accountability'

A woman was charged £50 to bring a water bottle on a Ryanair flight

Woman 'charged £50 to take a water bottle on Ryanair' flight

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) shakes hands with British Defence Secretary John Healey, on the eve of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels

'Ukraine must be at the heart of talks with Russia', says UK Defence Secretary after Trump announces plan to meet Putin

Supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) demonstrate in Trafalgar Square

Woman who tried to gain asylum eight times allowed to stay in UK - after she joined terror group

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton argues with Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Merseyside Mayhem: Four red cards handed out as Everton score late equaliser in last-ever derby at Goodison Park

Crowd Of Commuters Walking To Work Across London Bridge.

UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in last quarter of 2024, new figures show

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, of Wyoming, left her fourth daughter fighting for her life after going on a rampage at their home on Monday.

Mum-of-four shoots dead three young daughters before turning gun on herself

Speeding car approaching warning to slow down, on UK road

Shock figures reveal 'incredibly dangerous' speeding across UK - as one driver caught doing 122mph on 30mph road

Emergency services work near the scene of an explosion at a bar where a grenade was thrown, in Grenoble, on February 12, 2025.

At least 12 injured after man wielding assault rifle throws grenade into bar

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'