Authorities in Tehran are investigating the circumstances of a drone attack in Iran's Isfahan province. So far, Israel's connection with this attack has not been confirmed, said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahiyan in an interview with NBC News on Friday. He added that if Israel does not retaliate against Iran for last week's attack, “we are even, the matter is over.”
The drones that shelled Isfahan province on the night from Thursday to Friday, which sources say are Israeli, did not cause any damage and no casualties were reported, said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahiyan, quoted by Iranian media.
In an interview with NBC News, Abdollahijan said the drones took off from Iranian territory and flew only a few hundred meters before they were shot down. “They were more like toys our children play with, not real drones,” he said.
– No connections have been detected between this (incident – editor) and Israel – the minister emphasized, adding that Tehran is investigating the case, but media reports on this subject “were not accurate.”
Iranian media and officials spoke of “small explosions” resulting from the shooting down of three drones near an air base near Isfahan and attributed them to “interference” rather than directly to Israel.
“We're even”
However, the minister warned that if Israel carries out a retaliatory attack or takes action against Iran's interests, Tehran's response “will be immediate and at the maximum level.” – But if it doesn't happen, we're even. The case is over, he added.
Reuter notes that Abdollahijan tried to downplay the incident. Israel has not commented on this matter so far. According to commentators, Israel and Iran are downplaying the event so as not to escalate the conflict.
“It seems that we are closer than ever to war in this region, even though the international community will most likely make every effort to ease these tensions,” wrote Amos Harel, a military commentator in the Haaretz daily.
Tehran has no plans to retaliate against IsraelABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/PAP/EPA
Reactions to the Israeli retaliatory attack
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States was not involved in any offensive actions, and the White House declined to comment on the matter.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the attacks. “It is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East,” his office urged.
A few days ago, Iran attacked Israel. It was a response to the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Syria, which took place on April 1 this year.
Main photo source: ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/PAP/EPA