Explosions heard in Iran, air defence batteries fired, Israeli strikes reported

Tensions in the Middle East have risen after an apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran set the world on edge and sparked fears of an escalating tit-for-tat conflict between two of the Middle East’s biggest military powers.

Explosions were heard near a major air base and nuclear research site in central Iran on Friday, prompting the Albanese government to urge both Iran and Israel to show restraint to avoid an all-out regional war with potentially devastating consequences.

Video from near the reported site of airstrikes in Iran early on Friday.Credit: X

As international airlines scrambled to reroute passenger flights following the reported explosions, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded by warning Australians against travelling to Israel and the Palestinian territories because of the risk of further attacks.

World leaders are now anxiously waiting to see whether Iran will launch its own retaliatory strikes, or seek to dial back hostilities to avoid the risk of a broader conflagration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned world leaders in recent days that he would retaliate after Iran launched a blizzard of about 350 missiles on Israel last weekend, the vast majority of which were shot down by sophisticated air defence systems operated by Israel and its security partners.

Iran said it had launched those attacks in response to a strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed 16 people, an attack not publicly claimed by Israel but widely attributed to the country.

The scope of Israel’s military response on Friday appeared relatively restrained, with many analysts agreeing it was intended to deter Iran by sending a message that it could hit key military and nuclear targets if required.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suggested that the aerial incursions had involved mini-drones which could fit in the palm of a hand.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir uploaded a one-word social media post saying “Feeble!” – suggesting he favoured stronger action.

Iranian state television reported that three drones were brought down on Friday over Isfahan in central Iran, home to the country’s fleet of F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft and important sites associated with its nuclear program.

Isfahan is 350 kilometres south of the capital, Tehran.

Iranian state TV said that “around 12.30am GMT [9.30pm Melbourne time], three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defence system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky.”

Iranian nuclear sites were undamaged, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

Iranian state media denied reports that Israel had launched a missile strike against Iran, saying the sound of explosions was from the nation’s air defence batteries operating effectively.

US officials later said that no Israeli aircraft had been involved in the strike.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly declined to confirm the attack when asked about it, saying Washington had not been involved in any offensive operations and that it was committed to de-escalating tensions in the region.

“I’m not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,” Blinken said at a news conference capping a gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the southern Italian island of Capri.

Syria’s state-run SANA news agency said Israel had carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south at the same time as the strike in Iran, causing material damage.

Volunteer troops of the Iranian army march during the Army Day parade on Wednesday.Credit: AP

Acting Australian Foreign Minister Katy Gallagher said: “Australia remains extremely concerned about the potential for miscalculation and further escalation of conflict in the region.

“This is in no one’s interests. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and step back to avoid a further spiral of violence.

“Australia will continue working with partners to try to reduce tensions and prevent further regional spillover.”

In an update to its travel advice website, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “There’s a high threat of military reprisals and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.

“We continue to advise: reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and whether you need to remain in country.

“We urge Australians in both Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to depart if it’s safe to do so.”

The explosions led Iran to suspend domestic flights over several cities and for international carriers such as Emirates and Flydubai to divert flights around western Iran.

Biden administration officials said Israel had warned them a day earlier that a strike was coming within 24 to 48 hours, assuring them they would not target Iranian nuclear facilities.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran’s civilian space program, said on social media platform X that several small “quadcopter” drones had been shot down. It wasn’t immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the incident, with Qatar-backed network Al Jazeera reporting they could have been launched from inside Iranian territory.

Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel “must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests” as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the Middle East was in a “moment of maximum peril”.

With Reuters, AP, Bloomberg

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