Iran says air defenses activated over small drones: Report

Iranian air defense systems were activated in Tehran and several other cities in response to the presence of small drones, according to local media on Thursday.

Fars News Agency reported that the sounds of air defenses were heard after micro aerial vehicles were spotted in multiple locations across the country.

Military expert Abdolreza Sediq told the agency that several additional factors contributed to the activation of air defenses during the ceasefire period.

He said operators remain on “full alert” and are required to respond to any suspicious signal or light, while fighter jets such as the MiG-29 are routinely used as part of the capital’s air defense ring to monitor and intercept potential drone threats.

Sediq also noted that the ceasefire period is used to overhaul air defense systems, install new radars, and test equipment, making such activity “unavoidable.”

He added that Iran is also working to implement a new deployment model for its air defense network, shifting from a centralized “spider” system to a more decentralized “mosaic” structure, with exercises ongoing to stabilize the new approach.

Earlier, the state news agency IRNA said that the sound of air defenses was heard in both western and eastern areas of the capital.

Iranian media outlets, however, said later that the activation of the air defenses in Tehran was part of a test.

Meanwhile, an Israeli military source denied any involvement.

“Israel is not attacking Iran,” the source told Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.