Air defenses activated in several areas of Iran amid Israeli attacks

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iranian air defense systems were activated on Friday in multiple cities following incursions by Israeli aircraft.

At around 10 pm local time (1830GMT), air defenses in Tabriz, northwestern Iran were activated against Israeli small aircraft, the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported.

Shortly thereafter, air defenses in the northeastern city of Mashhad were also triggered, the agency added.

The center of the capital Tehran experienced increased air defense activity as Iranian forces worked to counter ongoing Israeli aerial attacks, said the Iranian Fars News Agency.

Additionally, an Israeli drone was shot down over the Ilam province in western Iran. Press TV released photos of the downed drone.

Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.​​​​​​​

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 639 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to Iranian media reports.