The Age/Matthew Knott/20.4.2024/Matthew Knott
The only hope is that Iran de-escalates this situation because Israel will keep pushing for a clear WW3 – what they need to get American support back – Mark
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 yesterday, prompting the Albanese government to urge both Iran and Israel to show restraint to avoid an all-out regional war with potentially devastating consequences.
As international airlines scrambled to reroute passenger flights following the reported explosions, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) responded by warning Australians against travelling to Israel and the Palestinian territories because of the risk of further attacks.
World leaders anxiously waited to see whether Iran would 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 around 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 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 yesterday 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 that 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 that he favoured stronger action.
Iranian state television reported that three drones were brought down 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 some 350 kilometres south of the capital, Tehran.
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