Mossad Behind Attack in Isfahan – US newspaper
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – According to a report by the New York Times (NYT), Israel’s top intelligence agency, Mossad, was behind an attack against a weapons production facility in the Iranian city of Isfahan on Saturday night.
A building in Isfahan had come under attack by drones on Saturday. The US quickly distanced itself from the attack, saying on Sunday morning that it was not responsible.
Isfahan is the site of four small nuclear research facilities, the NYT reports. However, the target of the attack was not one of them, and appears not to be nuclear-related.
Instead, it is likely the site of a missile production, research or development facility, which are also based in Isfahan, including for the Shahab medium-range missile, which can reach Israel.
According to Iranian state media, the attack did little damage to the facility, which they described as an “ammunition manufacturing plant”. An Iranian official said three quadcopter drones had attacked Isfahan, and were all shot down.
The quadcopter has become Israel’s weapon of choice against Iran in recent years. Under the consecutive administrations of Naftali Bennet and Yair Lapid, the country has ramped up attacks against Iran and Iranian-linked targets.
Saturday’s attack is notable, as it is the first such strike under Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to office as Israel’s Prime Minister in December after a year-and-a-half interlude.
Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said about the strike that a “cowardly drone attack on a military site in central Iran will not impede Iran’s progress on its peaceful nuclear program”.