Israel reportedly behind drone attack on Iranian military-linked warehouse in Isfahan
Israel on Saturday launched three bomb-carrying drones at a warehouse in the Iranian city of Isfahan, targeting some sort of military-linked facility, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported Sunday, citing U.S. officials and others familiar with the attack. It isn't clear how much damage the drones inflicted on the site, or what was in the warehouse Israel reportedly targeted.
The U.S. said publicly that it was not involved in Saturday night's drone attack and privately suggested it was not given advance warning by Israel. Israel's military has not commented on the attack. Israel has hit Iranian defense sites with quadcopter drones several times over the past few years.
Tehran said the raid on "an ammunition manufacturing plant" was foiled by surface-to-air defense systems that shot down the small quadcopter drones, causing minor damage to the roof. "It is not clear why Iran would build an ammunition production plant in the middle of a city of roughly two million people," the Times reports. Independent intelligence analyst Ronen Solomon told the Journal that given the small modest of the blast, the target wasn't an ammunition storehouse but instead probably a lab or military logistics site.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Isfahan is a major center of missile research, development, and production, and the warehouse is located across the street from a facility belonging to a unit of the Iran Space Research Center, Solomon told the Journal. The U.S.-sanctioned organization has worked with Iran's Ministry of Defense and the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and developed the Shahab medium-range missiles.
Such missiles could reach Israel, but the are also reportedly sought by Russia to restock its depleted missile arsenal for use against Ukraine. Iran is the primary provider of attack drones to Russia. The U.S. has been pressing Israel to do more to militarily support Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders, but Israel has balked, the Journal reports. Russia's military, which provides air defense for Syria, allows Israel fighter jets to hit Iranian targets in Syria under a yearlong understanding.
"This is a smart trifecta where Israel can hurt Iran, help Ukraine, and not risk its strategic interests in Syria or run the risk of the diversion of its sensitive military technology to Russia and into Iran," Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Washington's Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, tells the Journal.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published