Israel Targeted Iran’s S-300 Air Defence System in Attack, Says Report

In 2016, Russia delivered the S-300 air defense system to Iran. Last week, Isfahan province in Iran was struck by drone and missile attacks allegedly from Israel, targeting the region housing Iran’s nuclear facility and air defense systems.

According to American news agencies, Israel conducted the attacks, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. This attack followed Iran’s unprecedented drone, cruise, and ballistic missile strikes on Israel, escalating tensions in the region.

Satellite images show the Russian-origin S-300 anti-ballistic missile defense system positioned northeast of Isafan International Airport. However, recent imagery on Google Earth indicates the absence of the system.

The targeted facility, Natanz nuclear facility, is located north of the attack site. The S-300 defense system, consisting of radar-equipped vehicles with distinctive missile launchers, was reportedly struck by drones and missiles, indicating that Israeli weapons evaded detection by the Iranian air defense system.

Iranian military officials stated that they did not detect any airspace intrusion on the day of the attack, and Iran’s state media agency IRNA also reported no missile attacks or activation of the air defense system. However, satellite images analyzed by the BBC and the New York Times show damage to the facility, with the fire control radar of the S-300 system reportedly damaged.

The extent of the damage is still unknown, and the specific weapons utilized by Israel remain unclear, as both sides have denied the claims. Western officials quoted by the New York Times reported that Israel’s attack aimed to convey a message to Iran that it could bypass its defense systems undetected.

Russia’s delivery of the S-300 system in 2016 had sparked concerns within Israel, and tensions continue to escalate in the region.