Israel Targets Iran’s S-300 Air Defense System in Attack, Says Report

In 2016, Russia completed the delivery of the S-300 air defense system to Iran. The system was intended to enhance Iran’s defense capabilities. However, last week, the Isfahan province in Iran was hit by drone and missile strikes reportedly originating from Israel. The attack targeted a region housing Iran’s nuclear facility and air defense systems.

According to American news agencies, Israel was responsible for the attacks, but the country neither confirmed nor denied their involvement. The strikes occurred following a previous aggressive drone, cruise, and ballistic missile attack on Israel by Iran, escalating tensions in the region. Satellite images revealed the presence of the Russian-origin S-300 Surface-Air anti-ballistic missile defense system near the Isafan International Airport prior to the attack. However, subsequent images from April 19 showed the area empty, indicating the potential removal of the S-300 system.

The targeted strikes managed to evade the Iranian air defense system, indicating a lack of detection and defense. Iranian officials stated that they had not detected any entry into Iran’s airspace on the day of the attack, and Iran’s state media agency IRNA confirmed that no missile attacks had occurred and the air defense system had not been activated. Assessments by the BBC and the New York Times revealed damage to the facility, with the radar of the S-300 defense system reportedly damaged, although the missile launchers remained intact. The extent of the damage and the specific weapons used by Israel are still unknown, as both sides have denied and remained unclear about the claims.

The New York Times quoted Western officials suggesting that Israel’s attack was planned to demonstrate its capability to bypass Iran’s defense systems undetected, emphasizing that neither the missile nor the aircraft that fired it entered Jordanian airspace. The delivery of the S-300 air defense system to Iran in 2016 was a significant event, sparking concerns within Israel. After years of negotiation, Russia completed the delivery, prompting Israel to pressure Russia to cancel the deal in 2010.