State media in Iran reported that flights over several cities have been suspended and air defense systems have been activated.

Iran is on high alert following Israel's announcement that it would respond to an Iranian attack launched against it on Saturday evening.

The semi-official news agency Fars reported that an explosion was heard early on Friday morning to the northwest of the Iranian city of Isfahan, near the city's international airport. Iranian state television reported that three drones were observed in the skies of Isfahan and were destroyed after the country's air defense system was activated.

Isfahan province is home to a major airbase, a significant missile production complex, and several nuclear facilities.

According to the IRNA state news agency, air defense systems were activated in several provinces.

The Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing "reliable sources," claims that "loud noises heard in various parts of the country were the result of air defenses being activated against several unidentified drones." IRIB stated that the nuclear facilities in Isfahan are "completely safe."

Commercial flights over Iran's major cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tehran, have been halted, according to Reuters news agency. Middle-Eastern airlines Emirates and Fly Dubai diverted their flights over western Iran early Friday morning without explanation.

Hours before today's reports, Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, warned that his country would respond with "immediate and maximum level" retaliation to any attack by Israel.

Earlier in the week, he declared that his country's attack on Israel on Saturday - involving more than 300 drones and missiles - was an exercise of "the right to legitimate defense." Tehran maintained that the action was in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on April 1 at its consulate in Syria, which killed 13 people.

Gold and Oil Prices Rise

In Asian trading on Friday morning, the price of Brent crude oil per barrel rose by more than 3%, reaching around $90, while the price of gold approached new record levels, exceeding $2,400 per ounce. The leading indices of the Japanese, Hong Kong, and South Korean stock markets fell after announcements about the attack.

Denials of an Attack

An Iranian official informed Reuters early Friday morning that the country had not been hit by a missile attack. Similarly, a military spokesperson on the social media platform X stated that air defenses had destroyed drones.

Further Denial

An official from the Iranian Space Agency outright denied any missile attack against Iran on X. Hossein Dalirian wrote: "There was no air attack from outside borders towards Isfahan or any other parts of the country." He stated that Israel "only tried an unsuccessful and humiliating attempt to fly drones, which were shot down."

Questioning the Intent of a Serious Attack

Israel had made it clear that it would somehow respond to Iran's drone and missile attack from last weekend, and it appears to have done so. "If this is indeed the beginning and end of Israel's response, then it seems the attack was very limited," said security analyst Frank Gardner.

Israel's western allies, particularly the United States and Great Britain, had urged the Israeli government throughout the week not to provide a severe response to the Iranian missile attack.

Australian Warning

Australia is urging its citizens to leave Israel "if they can do so safely," citing "a high risk of military retaliations and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests in the region. The security situation could deteriorate rapidly," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which also warned of possible airspace closures, flight cancellations, and other travel disruptions in the region.