Iran warns Israel after ‘drone attack’, Israel says mum on strikes.
Tehran: Iran warned of “immediate and maximum response” if Israel chooses to take any “adventurism” against Iranian interests in the aftermath of suspected drone strikes near Isfahan city this week.
Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahai said an investigation is underway to ascertain facts around the strikes, which saw small explosions after Iranian air defences engaged with objects identified as drones. He, however, did not directly pin the blame on Israel.
According to Iranian accounts, the drones flew a short distance inside the country before being downed. But the strikes caused no significant damage. Israel has yet to make any official comment on the incident.
The warning comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which has alleged involvement in strikes on Iranian targets inside Syria as well as nuclear facilities over the past months.
In April, strikes were launched on Israel from Gaza and Syria, which Iran took responsibility for, in retaliation to earlier strikes on Iranian sites in those territories. The latest strikes will likely further ratchet up tensions.
Both countries have been engaged in a shadow war for years, using drones and cyber tools to hit each other’s assets and allies. But a direct military clash could dangerously widen conflicts tearing through West Asia.
The US has denied involvement while pitching for de-escalation. It has imposed additional sanctions on Iran to dissuade further escalation after the April strikes. However, the threat of direct conflict persists with no sign of easing hostilities.
As night fell in Israel, air strikes and shelling continued to pound parts of Gaza, where over half the population has taken shelter. The offensive has so far killed over 34,000, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave.
