Demonstration in Support of Gaza Planned in Isfahan Amid Reports of Israeli Attack on Iran

A demonstration in support of Gaza is planned in Isfahan, Iran, as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran. According to U.S. media citing government officials, Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil on Friday, with explosions heard near the central city of Isfahan. Iranian state media reported that air defenses fired at a large air base in Isfahan, home to Iran's aging fleet of U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats and facilities that are part of Iran's nuclear program.

While no Tehran official directly acknowledged that Iran was under attack, and Israel's military did not comment, two Israeli officials confirmed the strike. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had seen no damage to Iran's nuclear sites. The attack came days after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

The U.S. received notification before Israel's attack, and Washington and other global powers had pressed Israel not to respond or to ensure any further retaliation was limited. However, a senior Iranian official cast doubt on whether Israel was responsible, saying the "foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed." In official comments and news reports, there was no mention of Israel, and state television carried analysts who appeared dismissive about the scale of the incident.

Why this matters: The incident has raised concerns about a further escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, where Israel has been engaged in a conflict with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip since October 2022. The West fears that the latest attack could make it harder for allies to rein in support for Israel, as Tehran's direct assault on Israeli interests complicates the situation.

The U.S. and Britain have announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its drone production capabilities after the attack on Israel. NATO and the EU have urged G7 nations to step up air defense for Ukraine and expand sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, the U.S. has vetoed a resolution backing full U.N. membership for Palestine.

In a related development, the sister of Nika Shakarmi, a victim of the Women Life Freedom movement protests, has been detained by Tehran's morality police for failing to adhere to Iran's mandatory hijab law. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions within Iran and the government's crackdown on dissent.

Iranian officials sought to downplay the situation, with state media airing footage of a peaceful Isfahan morning and reporting that the country's nuclear facilities remained secure. However, the attack has sparked concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. As an Iranian arms control expert noted, Iran would be mistaken to carry out a massive response, describing the incident as a "security sabotage" rather than a "military assault."

Key Takeaways

• Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil in Isfahan, Iran.
• Iran fired air defenses at a military base in Isfahan.
• The U.S. received prior notification of Israel's attack.
• The attack raised concerns about escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
• The U.S. and Britain imposed new sanctions on Iran's drone production.