New Delhi: Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, according to reports saying an explosion occurred in the center of the country.
Iran's Fars news agency said an explosion was heard at an airport in the central city of Isfahan but the cause was not immediately known. Iran suspended flights over the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran, state media reported.
Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, centerpiece of Iran's uranium enrichment program.
Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.
That strike came in the wake of an attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel.
Here are the Highlights:
Israel, Iran ready to de-escalate -- for now: analystsThe limited nature of Israel's reported strike on Iran and the restrained immediate Iranian reaction shows both sides, in particular Tehran, are looking to de-escalate after weeks of tensions but the situation remains dangerously explosive, analysts say.
There have been fears over the last weeks decades of enmity between Israel and the Islamic republic could spill over into all-out war as Israel pursues its offensive on Gaza in the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas which is backed by Tehran.
An apparent Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1 killed seven members of the Revolutionary Guards force, including its top commander for Iran and Lebanon, and enraged Iran as well as troubling Israel's Western allies.
As Israel-Iran Hostilities Flare Up, Ball In Tehran's Court NowIsrael launched a retaliatory strike on Iran following last week's missile and drone barrage from Tehran, according to two US officials, though media from both countries appeared to downplay the severity of the incident.
An explosion was heard early Friday in Isfahan, Iran's third-biggest city, Fars news agency reported. Nuclear facilities located there are safe, state television and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said.
Neither the Iranian nor Israeli government has confirmed there was a strike by Israel. The Jewish state rarely comments on specific military actions linked to Iran.
Flights were suspended in Isfahan and the Iranian cities of Tehran and Shiraz as well as airports across the country's western borders, but those restrictions were soon eased.
What we know about reported strike on IranExplosions rocked Iran's central Isfahan province on Friday, according to state media, while US officials told American news outlets that Israel carried out a retaliatory strike on the Islamic republic.
The attack comes less than a week after Tehran launched a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles in its first-ever direct assault on Israel's soil. That unprecedented onslaught was itself a reprisal for an earlier strike in Syria widely blamed on Israel.
'No reports on attack from abroad' after explosions in country's centre, says report: news agency Agence-France Presse
United States had advance warning of Israel attack on IranThe United States received advance notice of Israel's reported strike on Iran but did not endorse the operation or play any part in its execution, US media quoted officials as saying.
NBC and CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter and a US official, respectively, said Israel had provided Washington with pre-notification of the strike.
Tehran's main airport resumes flights, says state media: news agency Agence-France Presse
Explained: What Is Qatar's Role As Mediator In Israel-Hamas WarQatar's warning that it was reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about the prospects for a ceasefire and the return of hostages.
Since Hamas's deadly October 7 attack on Israel sparked devastating retaliation against Gaza, Qatar has been an important conduit to the Palestinian militant group, whose political office is in Doha.
The gas-rich emirate, which also hosts the region's largest US military base, successfully brokered a week-long break in fighting in late November when scores of Israeli and foreign hostages were released.
flydubai airline cancels flights to Iran
Dubai's flydubai airline cancelled flights to Iran on Friday after receiving an official alert, a statement said.
"In line with the issued NOTAM (notice to air missions), our flights to Iran today have been cancelled," said the statement sent to AFP.
Iran media reports 'no major damage' after explosions heard
Israel military says 'don't have comment at this time' after reports of blasts in Iran': news agency Agence France-Presse
Iran media say nuclear facilities in Isfahan 'completely secure': news agency Agence France-Presse
Iran says drones shot down, 'no missile attack for now': news agency Agence France-Presse
Israel launches strike against Iran:Israel has launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, US media reported Thursday night.
ABC and CBS News reported the strikes early Friday Mideast time, quoting US officials. There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon.
Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, state media reported, after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.
Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.
That strike came in the wake of an attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel.
Iran media says three explosions were heard near airbase in Isfahan: news agency Agence France-Presse
Iran activates air defence over several cities: ReportIran activated Friday its air defence system over several cities, state media reported, after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.
"Iran's air defence has been activated in the skies of several provinces of the country," the official IRNA news agency said.
Iran activates air defence over several cities, says report: news agency Agence France-Presse
Israel launches strike against Iran, says US TV network: news agency Agence France-Presse
Iran state TV says reports of 'big explosions' heard near Isfahan: news agency Agence France-Presse
Iran media says flights suspended over Tehran and other cities: news agency Agence France-Presse