2023 Iran drone attacks
| 2023 drone attacks on Iran | |
|---|---|
| Part ofIran–Israel proxy conflict | |
| Location | Isfahan,Iran |
| Target |  Iran |
| Date | January 28, 2023 |
| Executed by |  Israel |
Several unidentifieddronesattacked an ammunition factory inIsfahanon the night of January 28–29, 2023, with other unexplained explosions acrossIran,[1][2]including a fire in an oil refinery inTabrizand reports of explosions and fire inKaraj.
Israel gave no comment, but theMossadwas implicated by most Western intelligence and Iranian sources in similar successfulattacks against Iranian nuclear facilities and defense industry,especiallyin 2020.Iran intensified its threats to destroy Israel, despite downplaying the attacks.[3]
The governments of Russia and Ukraine publicly reacted to the events. Russia condemned the attack, while Ukraine said that Iran had been warned about supplying Russia with drones.
Background[edit]
There werea number of explosions and firesaround Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in 2020. In 2021, Iran accused Israel ofsabotaging its key Natanz nuclear siteand vowed revenge. In July 2022, Iran said that it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a sensitive defence industry centre in Isfahan.[4][5]
Explosions[edit]
On the night of January 28–29, 2023, three unidentifieddronesattacked an ammunition factory inIsfahan,amidst other unexplained explosions acrossIran.[1][2]
The New York Timesstated that it was likely that the drones used near Isfahan werequadcopterswith a short flight range, and also that since Isfahan is distant from Iran's borders, it was likely that the drones were launched from inside Iran.[6]
Isfahan[edit]
On January 28, 2023 at 23:30local timean ammunition factory of theIranian Defence MinistryinIsfahanwas attacked by three drones, causing a large explosion.[7]The ministry said that the attack occurred inImam Khomeini StreetofIsfahan,and that the damage to the buildings was minor.[7][8]According to the ministry, three drones were shot down and the attack was unsuccessful.[9][4][10]Some citizens said they heard three or four explosions.[11]
Other explosions or fires[edit]
There was a fire in an oil refinery inTabrizduring the same night.The Wall Street Journaldescribed the relation between the Tabriz fire and the Isfahan attack as unclear.[8]According toIran International,there were reports of explosions and fire inKarajon the same night.[11]Another explosion was reported at an oil facility inAzarshahr.[12][13]
Anearthquakenear the city ofKhoyoccurred on the same day, which led to confusion about whether targets were struck or had been affected by the earthquake.[14][15][16]
Reactions[edit]
According to anonymous United States officials and people familiar with the operation, the attacks were conducted by Israeli forces, on which Israel had no comment.[17][18]
The Jerusalem Postcalled the attack "a tremendous success", paraphrasing various anonymous sources, and said Iran is downplaying it.[19]
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.[20]
Ukrainian presidential advisorMykhailo Podolyaktweeted: "Explosive night in Iran – drone & missile production, oil refineries. Ukraine did warn you." Iran summoned the Ukrainianchargé d'affairesover the tweet.[21]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Iran thwarts drone attack on military site".reuters.com.Reuters. January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^abFazeli, Yaghoub (January 29, 2023)."Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack".english.alarabiya.net.Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Israeli drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success".The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.RetrievedFebruary 17,2023.
- ^ab"Iran thwarts drone attack on military site, state media report".Reuters.January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Iran says Israel-linked agents planned attack on defence plant".Reuters. July 27, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Fassihi, Farnaz (January 28, 2023)."Iran Says It Thwarted a Drone Attack on a Munitions Facility".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^abShahla, Arsalan (January 28, 2023)."Drone Responsible for Iran Defense Ministry Blast: State TV".Bloomberg News.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^abRasmussen, Sune Engel (January 28, 2023)."Iran Ammunition Factory Hit by Blast".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan".apnews.com.Associated Press. January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan".The Evening Hour.January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^ab"Explosions, Fires At Iran Military Site And Factories".Iran International.January 28, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Shabbir, Fahad."Explosion Occurs At Motor Oil Production Facility In Iran's Azarshahr – Reports".urdupoint.com.Urdu Point.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Kuzmich, Elena (January 29, 2023)."New" Bavovna "in Iran: an oil refinery is burning".tsn.ua.TCH.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"زلزله ۵.9 ریشتری خوی را لرزاند/ گزارش تخریب منازل در شهر فیرورق کانون زلزله/ ۵۸۰ مصدوم و 2 فوتی تا این لحظه".Fars News Agency(in Persian). January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Three dead and 447 injured in the northwest Iran earthquake"[«سه کشته و ۴۴۷ زخمی» در زلزله شمال غربی ایران] (in Persian). BBC News. January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"آخرین اخبار از زلزله خوی در آذربایجان غربی | ۴۴۰ مصدوم و ۷ فوتی تا این لحظه (۸ بهمن ۱۴۰۱) + فیلم و عکس"[The latest news about the Khoi earthquake in West Azerbaijan 440 injured and 7 feet so far (8 February 1401) + video and photos] (in Persian). Shahrara News. January 29, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Nissenbaum, Dion; Faucon, Benoit; Lubold, Gordon (January 29, 2023)."Israel Strikes Iran Amid New International Push to Contain Tehran".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Hafezi, Parisa; Stewart, Phil; Stewart, Phil (January 29, 2023)."Israel appears to have been behind drone strike on Iranian factory -US official".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^Jeremy Bob, Yonah (January 29, 2023)."Drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success – sources".The Jerusalem Post.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
- ^"Russia Condemns Drone Attack on Iran's Military Site - World news - Tasnim News Agency".Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2023.
- ^"Iran Summons Ukrainian Charge d'Affaires over Adviser's Comments on Drone Attack - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency".Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2023.
