Iranian media reported explosions and activated air defense systems in Tehran on Thursday, marking the first such incidents since a ceasefire with the United States took effect.
State news agency IRNA said the sound of anti-aircraft fire was heard in western Tehran, while other agencies including Mehr and Fars reported that defense systems had been activated against unspecified “hostile targets.” Fars quoted one of its correspondents saying the response appeared to be triggered by tiny drones detected in various parts of the country.
The developments coincided with the arrival of a third U.S. Aircraft carrier in the Middle East region, according to reports. Israeli officials, however, denied involvement, with security sources telling AFP that Israel was not currently attacking Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had earlier stated his country was prepared to resume war against Iran, saying targets had been “marked” and that they were awaiting approval from the United States to eliminate the Khamenei dynasty. He also said Iran should be pushed back into “the dark ages and the Stone Age.”
The explosions broke a period of relative calm following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire that had been extended by President Donald Trump earlier in the week. On Truth Social, Trump said he would only reach an agreement with Iran if it was “appropriate and in the interest of the United States of America.”
Analysts noted that declining U.S. Public support for the conflict—including within Trump’s own base—could complicate future decisions, with recent polling showing 55 percent of Americans believe the president should be impeached over his Iran policy.
