JERUSALEM (AP) — Satellite photos taken Monday suggest an apparent Israeli retaliatory strike targeting Iran’s central city of Isfahan hit a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery, contradicting repeated denials by officials in Tehran of any damage in the assault. The strike on an S-300 radar in what appears to have been a very limited strike by the Israelis would represent far more damage done than in the massive drone-and-missile attack Iran unleashed against Israel on April 13. That may be why Iranian officials up to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been trying to dismiss discussing what the attack actually did on Iranian soil. Analysts believe both Iran and Israel, regional archrivals locked in a shadow war for years, now are trying to dial back tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip still rages and inflames the wider region. But a strike on the most advanced air defense system Iran possesses and uses to protect its nuclear sites sends a message, experts say. |
Record hot days seen this yearTop HK official vows to advance Article 23 legislation at full speedNorth China's Hebei launches new multimodal transport route to Central AsiaDevelopment key to protecting human rightsStone carvings found inside cave of China's Longmen GrottoesChina Focus: Vibrant festival highlights cultural charm of various Chinese ethnic groupsOfficials back warrants for HK fugitives abroadConsumption expo in Hainan expected to bolster growthHayao Miyazaki's animated fantasy further leads Chinese box officePanda program continues to boost China