In a surprise revelation, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani disclosed that Israel had alerted the United States about a drone attack on Iran mere hours before it occurred.
The strike, which targeted an air base and nuclear site, prompted Iranian air defenses to spring into action, with explosions reported near the central city of Isfahan.
According to Tajani, the US received Israel’s notification at the eleventh hour, but did not participate in the attack. “It was mere information,” the foreign minister emphasized.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment during a press conference in Italy, describing the incident as a “reported event” and reaffirming that the US was not involved in any offensive operations.
Despite the intensity of the exchange, officials and media outlets in both countries downplayed the importance of the strikes. Israel characterized its response as limited and aimed at preventing further escalation, while an Iranian state TV anchor dismissed the attack as “not a big deal.”
This latest exchange is part of an ongoing tit-for-tat between Israel and Iran, which began earlier this month when Israel launched a strike on a Syrian consulate, killing multiple high-ranking Iranian commanders.
Iran retaliated over the weekend with a barrage of missiles and drones, which was largely neutralized by Israel’s defense systems. The cycle of retaliation has raised concerns about the escalating tensions in the region and the potential for further conflict.
