Explosions heard in Iran amid reports of Israeli attack

ANKARA

Explosions were heard in several Iranian cities early Friday amid an alleged Israeli attack inside Iran.

Explosions were reported in Isfahan in central Iran and west of Tabriz northwest of the country, the state news agency IRNA reported.

A senior army official in Isfahan said the explosion heard in the city was the result of firing anti-aircraft weapons at suspicious objects, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

State news agency IRNA also attributed the sound of the explosion in Tabriz to the activation of air defense systems.

Iran's state television confirmed "massive explosions" in Isfahan, but said no nuclear facilities were affected or targeted in the central city.

The semi-official Mehr News Agency said three drones were destroyed in the skies above Isfahan.

IRNA said air defenses have been activated in several provinces.

There was no Israeli comment yet on reports of launching attacks inside Iran.

Tension escalated between Iran and Israel after Tehran launched a drone and missile attack on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria, in which seven military advisers were killed.

Israel has vowed a military response to Iran’s weekend attack.