2023 Iran drone attacks

Several unidentified drones attacked an ammunition factory in Isfahan on the night of January 28–29, 2023, with other unexplained explosions across Iran,[1][2] including a fire in an oil refinery in Tabriz and reports of explosions and fire in Karaj.

2023 drone attacks on Iran
Part of Iran–Israel proxy conflict
Location
Isfahan, Iran
Target Iran
DateJanuary 28, 2023
Executed by Israel

Israel has given no comment, but the Mossad has been implicated by most Western intelligence and Iranian sources in similar successful attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities and defense industry, especially in 2020. Iran intensified its threats to destroy Israel, despite downplaying the attacks.[3]

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.

Background

There were a number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in 2020. In 2021, Iran accused Israel of sabotaging 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]

Explosions

On the night of January 28–29, 2023, three unidentified drones attacked an ammunition factory in Isfahan, amidst other unexplained explosions across Iran.[1][2]

The New York Times stated that it was likely that the drones used near Isfahan were quadcopters 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]

Isfahan

On January 28, 2023 at 23:30 local time an ammunition factory of the Iranian Defence Ministry in Isfahan was attacked by three drones, causing a large explosion.[7] The ministry said that the attack occurred in Imam Khomeini Street of Isfahan, 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]

Other explosions or fires

There was a fire in an oil refinery in Tabriz during the same night. The Wall Street Journal described the relation between the Tabriz fire and the Isfahan attack as unclear.[8] According to Iran International, there were reports of explosions and fire in Karaj on the same night.[12] Another explosion was reported at an oil facility in Azarshahr.[13][14]

An earthquake near the city of Khoy occurred on the same day, which led to confusion about whether targets were struck or had been affected by the earthquake.[15][16][17]

Reactions

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.[18][19]

The Jerusalem Post called the attack "a tremendous success", paraphrasing various anonymous sources, and said Iran is downplaying it.[20]

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.[21]

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: "Explosive night in Iran – drone & missile production, oil refineries. Ukraine did warn you." Iran summoned the Ukrainian chargé d'affaires over the tweet.[22]

References
  1. "Iran thwarts drone attack on military site". reuters.com. Reuters. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  2. Fazeli, Yaghoub (January 29, 2023). "Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack". english.alarabiya.net. Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  3. "Israeli drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  4. "Iran thwarts drone attack on military site, state media report". Reuters. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  5. "Iran says Israel-linked agents planned attack on defence plant". Reuters. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  6. Fassihi, Farnaz (January 28, 2023). "Iran Says It Thwarted a Drone Attack on a Munitions Facility". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  7. Shahla, Arsalan (January 28, 2023). "Drone Responsible for Iran Defense Ministry Blast: State TV". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  8. Rasmussen, Sune Engel (January 28, 2023). "Iran Ammunition Factory Hit by Blast". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  9. "Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan". apnews.com. Associated Press. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  10. "Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan". The Evening Hour. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  11. "Explosions, Fires At Iran Military Site And Factories". Iran International. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  12. "Explosions, Fires At Iran Military Site And Factories". Iran International. January 28, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  13. Shabbir, Fahad. "Explosion Occurs At Motor Oil Production Facility In Iran's Azarshahr – Reports". urdupoint.com. Urdu Point. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  14. Kuzmich, Elena (January 29, 2023). "New "Bavovna" in Iran: an oil refinery is burning". tsn.ua. TCH. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  15. "زلزله ۵.9 ریشتری خوی را لرزاند/ گزارش تخریب منازل در شهر فیرورق کانون زلزله/ ۵۸۰ مصدوم و 2 فوتی تا این لحظه". Fars News Agency (in Persian). January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  16. "Three dead and 447 injured in the northwest Iran earthquake" [«سه کشته و ۴۴۷ زخمی» در زلزله شمال غربی ایران] (in Persian). BBC News. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  17. "آخرین اخبار از زلزله خوی در آذربایجان غربی | ۴۴۰ مصدوم و ۷ فوتی تا این لحظه (۸ بهمن ۱۴۰۱) + فیلم و عکس" [The latest news about the Khoi earthquake in West Azerbaijan 440 injured and 7 feet so far (8 February 1401) + video and photos] (in Persian). Shahrara News. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  18. Nissenbaum, Dion; Faucon, Benoit; Lubold, Gordon (January 29, 2023). "Israel Strikes Iran Amid New International Push to Contain Tehran". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  19. Hafezi, Parisa; Stewart, Phil; Stewart, Phil (January 29, 2023). "Israel appears to have been behind drone strike on Iranian factory -US official". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  20. Jeremy Bob, Yonah (January 29, 2023). "Drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success – sources". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  21. "Russia Condemns Drone Attack on Iran's Military Site - World news - Tasnim News Agency". Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  22. "Iran Summons Ukrainian Charge d'Affaires over Adviser's Comments on Drone Attack - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency". Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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