Several unidentifieddrones attacked an ammunition factory inIsfahan on the night of January 28–29, 2023, with other unexplained explosions acrossIran,[1][2] including a fire in an oil refinery inTabriz and reports of explosions and fire inKaraj.
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.
There werea number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in 2020. In 2021, Iran accused Israel ofsabotaging its key Natanz nuclear site and 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]
On the night of January 28–29, 2023, three unidentifieddrones attacked an ammunition factory inIsfahan, amidst other unexplained explosions acrossIran.[1][2]
The New York Times stated that it was likely that the drones used near Isfahan werequadcopters with 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]
On January 28, 2023 at 23:30local time an ammunition factory of theIranian Defence Ministry inIsfahan was attacked by three drones, causing a large explosion.[7] The ministry said that the attack occurred inImam Khomeini Street ofIsfahan, 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]
There was a fire in an oil refinery inTabriz during the same night.The Wall Street Journal described the relation between the Tabriz fire and the Isfahan attack as unclear.[8] According toIran International, there were reports of explosions and fire inKaraj on the same night.[11] Another explosion was reported at an oil facility inAzarshahr.[12][13]
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.[14][15]
The Jerusalem Post called the attack "a tremendous success", paraphrasing various anonymous sources, and said Iran is downplaying it.[16]
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.[citation needed]
Iran
Israel