After the explosion in Isfahan, a large explosion rocked pro-Iranian bases in Iraq

The military base is being used as a headquarters for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militia or Hashed al-Shaabi. The PMF was previously pro-Iran, and now this paramilitary group has been integrated into the regular Iraqi army.

On Friday (19/4/2024), an explosion shook the city of Isfahan, Iran. Some sources attribute it to an attack by Israel. However, Tehran responded calmly, not even accusing Israel as the perpetrator behind the attack. This attitude indicates that Iran has no intention of retaliating against the recent attack.

Also read: Explosions in Iran, No Reports of Missile Attacks Yet

Tensions increased in the Middle East region after on April 14 2024 Iran for the first time hit Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles. Tehran said this attack was in response to Israel's attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, April 1 2024, which killed, among other things, an Iranian military general.

Through a written statement on the attack in southern Baghdad, PMF stated that the explosion resulted in material damages and casualties, without specifying any wounded victims. PMF added that military base buildings had been attacked. Investigative teams are being deployed to the location of the attack.

Responding to AFP's inquiry, security sources stated that they will not mention who is responsible for the attack and will not confirm whether it was a drone attack.

"The explosion hit equipment, weapons and vehicles," said an Iraqi Interior Ministry source.

To date, no party has claimed responsibility for the attack. Shortly after the explosion occurred, the US military stated that its forces were not behind the reported attack in Iraq. When asked by AFP, the Israeli military declined to comment on the information broadcast by foreign media.

During the Israeli attack on Gaza, factions within the PMF also attacked US troops with rockets and drones during the first few months. PMF attacks on US military targets stopped in February 2024. So far it is not clear the source of the explosion or its connection to the explosion in Isfahan.

Also read: To prevent the expansion of the Middle East war, Iran asks its alliance to exercise restraint

An explosion in Iraq occurred while Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was visiting Washington and Michigan to discuss the US-Iraq relationship with US President Joe Biden.

This visit had been planned long before the launch of drones and missiles by Iran-backed groups last Saturday. The visit was widely highlighted amid tensions in the Middle East. Missiles and drones from Iran also crossed Iraqi airspace.

Indication of peace

Tension slightly eased after the explosion in Isfahan was not responded to significantly by the Iranian Government. According to some sources, the explosion in Isfahan was an attack by Israel. However, Tehran responded calmly and indicated no intention to retaliate against the attack.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the drone used in Isfahan was a "mini drone". The explosion did not cause damage or casualties.

"The media supporting the Zionist regime are in desperation trying to gain victory from their defeat, while the downed mini drone did not cause any damage or casualties," said Amir-Abdollahian, as quoted by Iranian media.

Iranian media and officials described a series of explosions as originating from air defenses that hit three drones in Isfahan, central Iran. They called the incident an attack carried out by intruders, not Israel, so there was no need for retaliation.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that there are no plans to retaliate against Israel for the incident. "The foreign source in this incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any attack from the outside and the discussion is more towards infiltration rather than attack," the official said.

Israel does not say anything about the explosion in Isfahan. Washington refuses to interfere. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US is committed to Israel's security, but is not involved in any offensive operations. He refused to comment further. The White House also said it would not comment.

In a statement, the Pentagon stated that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday. However, the statement did not specifically mention Iran. Both were mentioned to have discussed a number of security issues, including efforts to maintain regional stability.

So far, Israel has not made any statement regarding the explosion in Iran. Israeli media avoids directly quoting Israeli officials and only refers to foreign media reports that cite Israeli sources confirming that Israel was behind the attack.

Since Iran's attack of 300 drones and missiles on Israel on April 1, world leaders have urged all parties to exercise restraint. This is intended to avoid a larger escalation of conflict in the Middle East. (AFP/REUTERS)