No damage to Iran's nuclear sites amid Israel attack

Vienna: Iran's nuclear sites are unharmed, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday after Israel allegedly launched retaliatory strikes overnight.

In a statement released today, the United Nations Atomic Watchdog said it is monitoring the situation very closely.

It further said that IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi has emphasised the ongoing need for utmost restraint from all parties, adding that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.

"IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Iran's nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely."

A US official confirmed to ABC News outlet that Israel carried out airstrikes against Israel. Al Jazeera cited Mehr news agency reporting that "sounds were heard over the city" in Isfahan early today adding that "several miniature UAVs were shot down."

However, the official could not confirm whether Syria and Iraq sites were hit as well. The report came shortly after local sources reported blasts in the Isfahan region in central Iran.  Following this, Iran fired air defence batteries and shut down flight operations in several cities including Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan that was later lifted.

The latest development comes after Iran on April 13 fired a barrage of over 300 missiles and drones against Israel, which Tehran said was in retaliation for a presumed Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 in which 13 people were killed.

(ANI)