Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
What happened
Israel carried out an airstrike inside Iran early Friday, U.S., Israeli and Iranian officials said. The limited attack was "intended to signal to Iran that Israel had the ability to strike inside the country" after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend, said The Washington Post, citing Israeli officials. Iranian officials said Israel hit a military air base near Isfahan, The New York Times said, though "the scale and method of the attack were unclear."
Who said what
Iranian Gen. Siavash Mihandoust said the blasts heard in Isfahan were "air defense firing at a suspicious object," and there was no "damage or incident" in the city or its nearby nuclear facility. Iranian cyberspace command spokesperson Hossein Dalirian claimed there was "no air attack from outside" Iran's borders. The U.S. was given advance notice of an attack but "didn't endorse this response," a U.S. official told CNN. Israel's military declined to comment.
The commentary
Friday's strike was "part of a cycle of retaliation that has alarmed world leaders," but it "produced a largely muted response" from Iran and Israel, the Times said. "Israel can do elegant military maneuvers that are not noisy or cause significant military damage but which deliver the message Israel wants," analyst Dana Weiss said on Israel's Channel 12.
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.
What next?
It depends on "whether that is the end of Israel's attack and whether Iran now decides to attack back," the BBC's Frank Gardner said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
8 movie musicals that prove the screen can share the stage
The Week Recommends The singing and dancing, bigger than life itself
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
2024 Mother's Day Gift Guide
The Week Recommends A present for every mom
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Columbia begins suspending Gaza war protesters
Speed Read The students are potentially barred from campus buildings and finals and ineligible to graduate in May
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published