Drones target Iranian weapons factory in central city of Isfahan

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

A series of powerful explosions have damaged an Iranian government weapons factory in the central city of Isfahan, according to witnesses and footage from the scene, in what officials said was a coordinated drone attack.

The overnight strikes left flames billowing from a military industrial complex thought to be a production hub for drones and missiles that have been used across the Middle East and by Russian forces in Ukraine.

There was no immediate confirmation about who was responsible, but the attacks appear to fit a pattern of strikes against strategic sites across Iran that have been attributed to Israel in recent years. A fire erupted at a fuel refinery in the north-west of Iran at about the same time as explosions were heard in Isfahan, at 11.30pm local time.

Drones have played an increasing role in a shadow war being fought between Iran and Israel over the skies of Iraq and Syria, in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and even the eastern Mediterranean, where tankers have been set ablaze by both sides since early 2019.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/drone-attack-hits-iran-ammunition-factory-reports

[rollin74]

1. second night of strikes may be happening

explosions reported a short time ago in the city of Mahabad

a Revolutionary Guard base is close to where the attack is reported

[PSPS]

2. Maybe that's where they're making the drones for putin

[Botany]

3. Good this why Trump's stealing our satellite intel was so bad.

I'm sure that we have had "eyes on" on those Iranian drone plants for sometime now. Look for drones to start hitting
Russian fighter & missile base ASAP.

BTW OH's new senator JD Vance, wants to stop support for Ukraine too.

[Warpy]

4. What a shocker, he's pro Russian pond scum, too

There is precious little online about this stuff, really strange considering how it seems to point to a widening of Putin's war outside Europe, something that has a nasty habit in European land wars.

Fingers have been pointed at Israel, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Unless significant damage has been done, I'd almost suspect a false flag operation, Iran's government is desperately trying to stay in power while most people have had enough of it.

[Beastly Boy]

5. Intriguing tweet from Zelensky's top advisor:

War logic is inexorable & murderous. It bills the authors & accomplices strictly.Panic in RF - endless mobilization, missile defense in Moscow, trenches 1000 km away, bomb shelters preparation.Explosive night in Iran - drone & missile production, oil refineries.🇺🇦 did warn you— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) January 29, 2023

Link to tweet

Suggests that Ukraine knew about Israel's raid on Iran ahead of time.

[Renew Deal]

7. I wonder if this is happening in Russia not because something Ukraine or NATO are planning to do

but because the way they will react to something Russia will do.

[ColinC]

6. Without the US, I can't imagine Israel would ever hesitate for a second to attack Iran.

With the US' approval for limited attacks, Israel wouldn't hesitate. I imagine.

[Warpy]

8. No, they wouldn't, but nothing was reported over Iraqi air space

and even al Jazeera seems to think it was a kibg sgit (both meanings).

Suspicion seems to be more toward Azerbaijan at this point, but until and unless Iran announces identification of what they allegedly shot down over Isfahan yesterday, we're not going to know.

If they don't make any such announcement, I'll continue to suspect a false flag or domestic attack. The former would shore up support for a tottering and deeply unpopular government and the latter would seek to get rid ot it.

[HUAJIAO]

9. Isfahan damask rose.

I used to grow Old Roses and this was one of the most gorgeously fragrant.

https://www.google.com/search?q=isfahan+rose&oq=isfahan+rose&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j46i10i512j0i10i512j0i390l3.8755j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Martin68]

10. Whether its the US , Israel, or some other player, it is an essential part of the war against

Russia in Ukraine. But it also might help reduce terrorist activity in the Middle East.

[NickB79]

11. Can Ukrainian drones hit Iran?

They had good luck hitting Russian airfields deep inside Russia a few months ago.

[Justice matters.]

13. IMHO, it's too far away, but what do I know about what 'special covert units' could do?

Only speculation. That's a long road to ride before launching drones and hit targets though.

[ga_girl]

12. Interesting memories

Decades ago, I had a job with a firm that was a contractor to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Design / construction in the Middle East, mainly Saudi Arabia. One project was in Isfahan, for Bell Helicopter, where a manufacturing center, along with training and housing and accouterments was being developed. Obviously pre Revolution and the project died when Khomeini came to power.

There was discussion if I would TDY to Isfahan, which thankfully never came to fruition. Later, a neighbor who's Iranian said I would have enjoyed the city but I'm happy that I missed that opportunity.