Oil prices spiking about 3% since reports of strikes

ABC, quoting the IDF, reports strikes are in response to last weekends missile/ drone attack

I mean this is quite obvious, but at least it’s confirmed

Initial reports suggesting an Iranian military installation near the Isfahan airport was hit.

Unclear what exactly was targeted tho. Could be a person or something related to their nuclear program

Iran state media reports that national airspace over Western Iran* has been closed

Iran previously warned of immediate retaliation in the event of Israeli strikes.

They warned of using a weapon never used against Israel before and my mind immediately goes to hypersonic weapons, but we won’t know if/until they respond to this

Israeli Channel 13 reports that the IDF is on alert for an Iranian response

Iranian media claiming Israeli drones downed over Iran

I have just learned that it is also Ayatollah Khamenei’s birthday today

So let’s recap:

- Israel kills several high ranking IRGC officers during a strike against a consular annex located direct next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1

- Iran responds by launching a large scale missile and drone attack against Israel almost two weeks later, minimal damage and at least one casualty reported

- Israel responds to this attack by striking what appears to be a single military base outside Isfahan, Iran. Damage assessment unknown at this time

- Iran previously vowed an immediate response if Israel carried out strikes inside Iran

Al-Arabia reporting that target was a facility used to launch drones used in the attack against Israel

Iran is denying anything was hit also

Could be a play to de-escalate and let things stand as they are

Iran state media releasing footage from Isfahan to show that there is no smoke from strikes, however, the footage is facing the mountains to the south while the strike reportedly happened near the airport to the north

Also, Google Earth Pro is an excellent tool to do geolocation and it’s free

Iranian state media now denying everything regarding strikes and emergency meetings.

The limited strikes appears to have let Israel have its “win” for a response to last weekend and allow Iran to sweep it under the rug to avoid any further escalation

Considering Iranian officials and media aren’t immediately calling for strikes against Israel like they did with the Damascus strike, an immediate large scale response by Iran is unlikely.

However, Iran likes to play the long game with its proxy forces, so increased arms support to Hezbollah and the Houthis can be an option for sustained pressure against Israel

https://x.com/joetruzman/status/1781159251660230824?s=46&t=-Z3Ebw2nuSS-rLBlJ6wsoA

Same again with Iran media, releasing footage pointing the opposite direction the strikes were said to have taken place

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reporting that strikes were done by unmanned aircraft

Iran officials (unofficially) confirm to NYT that airbase outside of Isfahan was hit, unclear if it’s the HESA drone facility or 8th Tactical Airbase