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Photo: Getty Images
Iran and Israel continue to exchange blows
An Israeli missile landed on Iranian territory last night, six days after Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israeli territory.
Israel has struck a target in Iran, following an unprecedented attack by Tehran. The explosion occurred in the Iranian city of Gahjavorstan, located northwest of the city of Isfahan. Gahjavorstan is located near the Isfahan airport, where a large air base of the Iranian Army Air Force is located.
The strike was carried out on the 85th birthday of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was born on April 19.
The target is not nuclear
Iran's air defense systems have been activated in several provinces of the country.
According to the American official, the target was not nuclear.
Another senior official said that before the Israeli strike, the US had expected that it would not target civilian or nuclear targets.
According to the TV channel, on Thursday, April 18, Israel informed the US that it will take retaliatory measures against Iran in the coming days. The Israeli military said it had "no comment at this time."
The FARS news agency reported that three explosions rang out near the Shekari Army Air Base near Isfahan International Airport.
According to the agency, the anti-aircraft system was activated in Isfahan and intercepted the drone. As a result of the explosions, the windows of several office buildings were broken.
Iranian media reported the destruction of three drones, citing an army general in Isfahan province who said the destruction had not been reported.
Will there be a sequel?
Lufthansa has canceled flights to Tel Aviv until the morning of April 20 and will avoid Iraqi airspace due to the security situation in the region.
The Polish airline LOT canceled flights on April 19 to Tel Aviv and Beirut. She had no scheduled flights to Israel on April 20, and a decision on April 21 flights will be made on April 20.
Lufthansa plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv and fly again through Iraqi airspace from 8 a.m. Israel time on April 20.
Earlier, the airline suspended flights to the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, and on April 17 announced that flights to these cities would remain canceled and the airline would not use Iranian airspace until April 30 inclusive.
Calls for de-escalation
Other countries have traditionally called on Iran and Israel to exercise restraint. "China opposes any behavior that may increase tensions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
"We have to do everything possible so that all parties refrain from escalation in this region," stressed the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
"We are committed to the security of Israel. We are also committed to de-escalation — to trying to end these tensions," Blinken said during a news conference after the group's meeting in Capri, Italy, according to CNN.
Blinken also noted that the US did not participate in any offensive operations.
In addition, he stated that the countries share a "commitment to hold Iran accountable" for the attack on Israel.
