Iran Downplays Drone 'Attack', States Israel Link Not Established

Iran has downplayed Tel Aviv's alleged action, stating that Israel's link to the attack has not yet been proven.

This comes a day after drone strikes were reportedly launched on Iran's Isfahan, allegedly by Israel, less than a week following Tehran's rocket and drone barrage,

Iran Downplays Drone 'Attack'

Three explosions were reported in Isfahan, home to a major military air base and several Iranian nuclear sites, on Friday morning. Following the strikes, it was said by Iran that several drones had been shot down, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Friday's drone strike was downplayed by Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who described the drones as "more like toys that children play with," as reported by Reuters. According to the Iranian minister, the drones had taken off from inside Iran and flown for a few hundred meters before being downed.

While the investigation of the strikes is ongoing by Iran, there has been no official confirmation of an Israeli link to the attack. Amirabdollahian added, "It has not been proved to us that there is a connection between these and Israel... Iran is investigating the matter but the media reports are not accurate."

So far, the attack has been referred to by Iran as being carried out by "infiltrators" rather than Israel.

Furthermore, Iran has warned that if Israel retaliates and acts against its interests, Tehran's next response will be immediate and at the maximum level. "If Israel wants to do another adventurism and acts against the interests of Iran, our next response will be immediate and will be at the maximum level... But if not, then we are done. We have concluded," said Iran's foreign minister.

The US, which has been supporting Israel, has refrained from commenting on the drone strikes in Iran.

"I know there's a lot of interest in reports from the Middle East overnight and we understand that we get that. I'm going to say it now, though I know you all will certainly ask me about that. We do not have any comment on the reports at this time," stated White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a media briefing, as reported by ANI.

Meanwhile, Israel has requested more tank ammunition and tactical vehicles from the US, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government looks to replenish its stockpiles amid the war in Gaza and increasing tensions with Iran.