Israel Targets Iran’s S-300 Air Defence System in Attack, According to Report

In 2016, Russia completed the delivery of the S-300 air defense system to Iran. The Isfahan province in Iran was recently struck by drone and missile attacks, which were reportedly carried out by Israel.

The targeted region housed Iran’s nuclear facility and air defense systems. Although American news agencies attributed the attacks to Israel, the country did not confirm or deny its involvement.

The attacks occurred following a series of unprecedented drone, cruise, and ballistic missile strikes launched by Iran against Israel. Satellite images revealed the presence of the Russian-origin S-300 anti-ballistic missile defense system near the Isafan International Airport in the targeted region.

However, a more recent image showed the area to be empty, indicating that the air defense system was no longer present. The Natanz nuclear facility, located north of the attack site, sustained damage.

Despite the presence of the S-300 defense system, the drones and missiles reportedly managed to evade detection and strike the region. Iranian officials claimed that they did not detect any incursion into Iran’s airspace on the day of the attacks, and the state media agency IRNA reported that Iran’s air defense system had not been activated.

The BBC and the New York Times reported damage to the S-300 facility, with the radar being reportedly damaged. However, the extent of the damage and the specific weapons used by Israel remain unclear, as both sides have denied the claims.

According to the New York Times, Western officials suggested that Israel’s attack was intended to send a message to Iran that it could bypass its defense systems undetected. Russia had initially agreed to supply the S-300 system to Iran in 2010 but later scrapped the deal under pressure from the West.