Each and every day it gets more difficult to suggest that World War III hasn’t already started, and this week brought with it ever more evidence of the vast global conflict that’s already occurring right under our noses.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has long been considered the most prominent example of this larger, more universal battle, but the latest news out of the Middle East could certainly grab the world’s attention in a major way.
Israel appears to have been behind an overnight drone attack on a military factory in Iran, a U.S. official said on Sunday.
Iran claimed to have intercepted drones that struck a military industry target near the central city of Isfahan, and said there were no casualties or serious damage.
The extent of damage could not be independently ascertained. Iranian state media released footage showing a flash in the sky and emergency vehicles at the scene.
The involvement of the Israelis wouldn’t be too far-fetched.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military declined to comment. Arch-foe Israel has long said it is willing to strike Iranian targets if diplomacy fails to curb Tehran’s nuclear or missile programmes, but it has a policy of withholding comment on specific incidents.
Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes in Iran, but declined to comment further.
That U.S. officials were pointing to an Israeli role in the attack was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing several unidentified sources. One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters it did appear that Israel was involved. Several other U.S. officials declined to comment, beyond saying that Washington played no role.
The tension between Israel and Iran has been simmering for decades now, and many international experts have tagged this particular conflict as one that could potentially trigger a massive and devastating proxy war.
