Italy urges 'de-escalation' as G7 to discuss reported strike on Iran

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called yesterday for an "absolute de-escalation" following reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran, saying G7 counterparts would discuss it at talks in Capri.

"We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation," he told RAI news from the Italian island, where Rome is hosting a meeting between foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations.

The G7, which includes the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada, wants an "absolute de-escalation" in the Middle East, he said.

"We are monitoring the situation closely. We will address the situation with the foreign ministers at the G7 session this morning in Italy," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on X.

Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan yesterday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival.

Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel almost a week ago, in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran's embassy in Syria which Tehran blamed on its foe.

Fears of a major regional spillover from the Gaza war have since soared.

G7 ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have been on Capri since Wednesday.

The Middle East crisis was first on the agenda on Thursday morning.

Yesterday's sessions were focused on rising tensions in the Indo-pacific, but Tajani confirmed the Iran situation would be "discussed".

Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early yesterday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented droneand-missile assault on the country.

It was unclear if the country came under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israel's military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

US officials declined to comment as of early yesterday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed US officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault, which came on Iranian

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday.

Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported.

In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats – purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim later published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its “nuclear energy mountain.” The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

“At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on,” he said. “It was the air defense, these guys that you’re watching, and over there too.”

The facility at Isfahan operates three small research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear programme.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear programme, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as “fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said “there is no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites” after the incident.

Gen. Siavosh Mihandoost, a local army commander, also told state TV the incident caused “no damage” around Isfahan.