2023 Iran drone attacks

2023 attack on Iranian targets

2023 drone attacks on Iran

Part of Iran–Israel proxy conflict
Location|

Isfahan, Iran

Target|  Iran
Date| January 28, 2023
Executed by|  Israel

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Iran–Israel proxy conflict

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* Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
* Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries
* Iranian strikes against Israel
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Nuclear program of Iran

* Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists
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* 2021 Natanz incident
* 2023 Iran drone attacks

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* 2024–2025 Palestinian Authority operation in Jenin
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International incidents

* Operation Outside the Box
* 2009 Sudan airstrikes
* 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
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* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2012 Cyprus terrorist plot
* 2012 Burgas bus bombing
* 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
* 2022 Erbil missile attacks
* 2022 Istanbul terror plot
* December 2023 Cyprus terror plot
* Israeli retaliation leak
* Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria
* 2024 Erbil attack
* Tower 22 drone attack

Several unidentified drones attacked an ammunition factory in Isfahan on the night of January 28–29, 2023, with other unexplained explosions across Iran,[1][2] including a fire in an oil refinery in Tabriz and reports of explosions and fire in Karaj.

Israel gave no comment, but the Mossad was implicated by most Western intelligence and Iranian sources in similar successful attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities and defense industry, especially in 2020. Iran intensified its threats to destroy Israel, despite downplaying the attacks.[3]

The governments of Russia and Ukraine publicly reacted to the events. Russia condemned the attack, while Ukraine said that Iran had been warned about supplying Russia with drones.

## Background

[edit]

There were a number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in 2020. In 2021, Iran accused Israel of sabotaging its key Natanz nuclear site and vowed revenge. In July 2022, Iran said that it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a sensitive defence industry centre in Isfahan.[4][5]

## Explosions

[edit]

On the night of January 28–29, 2023, three unidentified drones attacked an ammunition factory in Isfahan, amidst other unexplained explosions across Iran.[1][2]

The New York Times stated that it was likely that the drones used near Isfahan were quadcopters with a short flight range, and also that since Isfahan is distant from Iran's borders, it was likely that the drones were launched from inside Iran.[6]

### Isfahan

[edit]

On January 28, 2023 at 23:30 local time an ammunition factory of the Iranian Defence Ministry in Isfahan was attacked by three drones, causing a large explosion.[7] The ministry said that the attack occurred in Imam Khomeini Street of Isfahan, and that the damage to the buildings was minor.[7][8] According to the ministry, three drones were shot down and the attack was unsuccessful.[9][4][10] Some citizens said they heard three or four explosions.[11]

### Other explosions or fires

[edit]

There was a fire in an oil refinery in Tabriz during the same night. The Wall Street Journal described the relation between the Tabriz fire and the Isfahan attack as unclear.[8] According to Iran International, there were reports of explosions and fire in Karaj on the same night.[11] Another explosion was reported at an oil facility in Azarshahr.[12][13]

## Reactions

[edit]

According to anonymous United States officials and people familiar with the operation, the attacks were conducted by Israeli forces, on which Israel had no comment.[14][15]

The Jerusalem Post called the attack "a tremendous success", paraphrasing various anonymous sources, and said Iran is downplaying it.[16]

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.[citation needed]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Iran thwarts drone attack on military site". reuters.com. Reuters. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
2. ^ a b Fazeli, Yaghoub (January 29, 2023). "Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack". english.alarabiya.net. Iran says explosion at military site in Isfahan caused by drone attack. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
3. ^ "Israeli drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
4. ^ a b "Iran thwarts drone attack on military site, state media report". Reuters. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
5. ^ "Iran says Israel-linked agents planned attack on defence plant". Reuters. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
6. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz (January 28, 2023). "Iran Says It Thwarted a Drone Attack on a Munitions Facility". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
7. ^ a b Shahla, Arsalan (January 28, 2023). "Drone Responsible for Iran Defense Ministry Blast: State TV". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
8. ^ a b Rasmussen, Sune Engel (January 28, 2023). "Iran Ammunition Factory Hit by Blast". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
9. ^ "Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan". apnews.com. Associated Press. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
10. ^ "Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan". The Evening Hour. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
11. ^ a b "Explosions, Fires At Iran Military Site And Factories". Iran International. January 28, 2023. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
12. ^ Shabbir, Fahad. "Explosion Occurs At Motor Oil Production Facility In Iran's Azarshahr – Reports". urdupoint.com. Urdu Point. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
13. ^ Kuzmich, Elena (January 29, 2023). "New "Bavovna" in Iran: an oil refinery is burning". tsn.ua. TCH. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
14. ^ Nissenbaum, Dion; Faucon, Benoit; Lubold, Gordon (January 29, 2023). "Israel Strikes Iran Amid New International Push to Contain Tehran". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
15. ^ Hafezi, Parisa; Stewart, Phil; Stewart, Phil (January 29, 2023). "Israel appears to have been behind drone strike on Iranian factory -US official". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
16. ^ Jeremy Bob, Yonah (January 29, 2023). "Drone attack on Iranian weapons factory was phenomenal success – sources". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Iran–Israel proxy conflict

Background|

* Iranian revolution
* Iran–Iraq war
* 1999 arrest of Iranian Jews

2024 Iran–Israel conflict|

* Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
* reactions
* Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries
* Iranian strikes on Israel
* April 2024
* October 2024
* Israeli strikes on Iran
* April 2024
* October 2024
* intelligence leak

Hezbollah–Israel conflict|

* Israeli–Lebanese conflict
* South Lebanon conflict
* 1982 kidnapping of Iranian diplomats
* Assassination of Abbas al-Musawi
* 1992 Buenos Aires Israeli embassy bombing
* AMIA bombing
* 2000–2006 Shebaa Farms conflict
* 2000 Hezbollah cross-border raid
* 2005 Hezbollah cross-border raid
* 2006 Lebanon War
* Assassination of Imad Mughniyeh
* 2008 Israel–Hezbollah prisoner exchange
* 2009 Hezbollah plot in Egypt
* Francop Affair
* January 2015 Shebaa Farms incident
* Operation Northern Shield
* 2019 Beirut drone crash
* 2023 Israel–Lebanon shellings
* Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–2024)
* Killing of Fuad Shukr
* 2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks
* 20 September 2024 Beirut attack
* September 2024 Israeli attacks against Lebanon
* 2024 Hezbollah headquarters strike
* Assassination of Hashem Safieddine
* 2024 Israel–Lebanon ceasefire agreement
* Projectile attacks from Lebanon

Israeli–Palestinian conflict|

* Karine A affair
* Victoria Affair
* Klos C cargo ship seizure

Gaza–Israel conflict|

* Gaza War (2008–2009)
* 2014 Gaza War
* Gaza war (2023-)
* Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh

Syrian civil war|

* January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike
* May 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrikes
* December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes
* January 2015 Mazraat Amal incident
* Qalamoun offensive (May–June 2015)
* March 2017 Israel–Syria incident
* February 2018 Israel–Syria incident
* Operation House of Cards
* September 2018 Syria missile strikes
* August 2019 Syria missile strikes
* November 2019 Syria missile strikes
* January 2021 Syria airstrikes
* 2023 Damascus airstrike
* Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents
* Hezbollah involvement

International incidents|

* Operation Outside the Box
* 2009 Sudan airstrikes
* 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
* 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats
* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2012 Cyprus terrorist plot
* 2012 Burgas bus bombing
* Yarmouk munitions factory explosion
* 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
* 2022 Erbil missile attacks
* 2022 Istanbul terror plot
* 2024 Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria
* 20 July 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen

Nuclear program of Iran|

* Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists
* Ardeshir Hosseinpour
* Massoud Ali-Mohammadi
* Majid Shahriari
* Fereydoon Abbasi
* Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan
* Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
* AMAD Project
* Mossad infiltration of Iranian nuclear archive
* Bid Kaneh explosion
* Stuxnet
* 2020 Iran explosions
* 2021 Natanz incident
* 2023 Iran drone attacks

Related|

* Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
* Russia–Hamas relations
* Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
* Ahmad Reza Djalali
* Axis of Resistance
* Arab–Israeli alliance
* Abraham Accords
* Warsaw Middle East conference
* People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran
* Little Satan
* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel
* Views on military action against Iran
* Iran and state-sponsored terrorism
* Iranian support for Hamas
* Israel and state-sponsored terrorism
* Quds Day
* Prisoner X2
* Tehran

Category:Iran–Israel proxy conflict
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