A day after the Israeli attack in Iran, CNN released a photo of damage at the Iranian Air Force base in Isfahan, which was reportedly the target of the Israeli strike in Iran. The footage revealed damage to the missile defense system of the S-300 air defense battery brought to Iran by Russia, which was deployed at the base to protect it from potential attacks.
According to the images, the damage was limited to the radar of the defense system, and there were no signs of additional damage at the base. American sources claimed that "the Israelis hit what they intended to hit."
Iran continues to adhere to the official version that there was no Israeli attack on Iranian soil at all. Official sources in the country stated that they do not intend to respond to an attack that did not occur.
According to the report by Doron Kadosh on Galei Tzahal (Israeli Army Radio), the S-300 battery stationed in Isfahan is part of the air defense system protecting the nuclear facility in Natanz, which is located dozens of kilometers from Isfahan. The Israeli message conveyed in the attack on the missile defense system was: "We have the capability to strike even the Natanz nuclear facility and neutralize its defense systems."
The New York Times also reported that the Israeli missiles successfully targeted Iran's air defense systems without being detected by Iranian air defense systems. According to Western sources, "the attack was intended to send a message to Iran - that Israel can bypass its defense systems without being detected - and silence them." The newspaper quoted Iranian sources confirming the damage to the Iranian air defense missile system of the S-300 deployed at the "Shahidari" military base in Isfahan.
The New York Times further reported that the attack was carried out using unique technology that allowed the weaponry to evade Iranian air defense systems. Additionally, it was reported that at least one missile was fired from a combat aircraft.
In the Financial Times, reference was made to a simultaneous attack in Iraq where remnants of missiles were found on the country's territory, where pro-Iranian militias operate. According to the newspaper, missiles identified as Blue Sparrow, Silver Sparrow, and Rocks were involved.
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