Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, seemed to downplay a recent Israeli strike on the Iranian city of Isfahan, likening the drones used to “children’s toys.”
Speaking to NBC News, Amir-Abdollahian described the drones as launching from within Iran and flying only “a few hundred meters” before being intercepted by Iran’s air defense system.
Explosions near Isfahan, a critical site in Iran’s nuclear program, occurred on April 19, suspected to be the result of an Israeli attack. Israel has not officially claimed responsibility.
Amir-Abdollahian questioned the connection between the explosions and Israel, dismissing them as insignificant. He suggested Iran would investigate the incident but implied no immediate retaliation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a press conference with G-7 counterparts, referred to the events as “reported,” emphasizing the focus on de-escalation.
Prior to this incident, Iran launched over 300 munitions toward Israel on April 13, in response to an alleged Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Israel, supported by the U.S. and others, intercepted the majority of these projectiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s sovereign right to self-defense, disregarding calls for restraint from Western allies.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned of a robust response to any Israeli aggression, emphasizing Iran’s readiness to defend itself.
Israeli envoy Gilad Erdan urged the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran for its actions, calling for accountability and condemnation.
