Iran's Efforts to Downplay Israeli Attack; Amir-Abdollahian: It Was Not a Drone, It Was a Toy

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, spoke to NBC News about the alleged Israeli attack on Iran, stating, "What happened was not an attack. They were more like toys that our children play with, not drones." Amir-Abdollahian, who is attending a UN Security Council meeting in New York, made this statement in a clear attempt to avoid confirming the Israeli attack on Iran last Friday, adding, "The Islamic Republic does not intend to react unless Israel launches a significant attack." However, he reiterated his comments from Thursday with CNN, saying, "Any potential Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic will face an immediate and severe response, and if Israel takes a definitive action against Iran and this is proven to us, our response will be immediate, maximum, and will cause them severe regret." While this Iranian official and pro-government media are trying to downplay the Friday morning attack attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Israeli officials have remained silent about the incident. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have called for calm. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday, "We do not want to see an escalation of this conflict." "Senior U.S. military sources" told Fox News on Friday that the Israeli attack targeted the air defense systems of a military base responsible for protecting the Natanz nuclear facilities, sending a message to the Islamic Republic that Israel has the capability to strike targets inside Iran. Reuters reported that the Islamic Republic does not intend to retaliate for the alleged Israeli attack. The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that no damage has been inflicted on Iran's nuclear sites. Sounds of several explosions were heard in Isfahan, Iraq, and Syria; ABC reported that a senior U.S. official confirmed the Israeli attack on Iran. There is fear among supporters of the Islamic Republic; Hezbollah in Lebanon announced it would avoid escalating conflict with Israel. The UN Security Council meeting became a scene of confrontation between Israel and the Islamic Republic, with threats and criticisms exchanged between representatives of the two countries. The U.S. warned about "China's support for Russia in its aggression against Ukraine." A Foreign Ministry official stated that if necessary, "further actions" would be taken. The Islamic Republic has intensified its "precautionary measures" against a potential Israeli attack; a suspected spying ship, "Bashad," has left the regional waters.