Iran Foils Drone Attack on Defense Ministry Complex in Isfahan

Iran's national flag waves in Tehran, Iran, March 31, 2020. (AP)
Iran's national flag waves in Tehran, Iran, March 31, 2020. (AP)
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Iran Foils Drone Attack on Defense Ministry Complex in Isfahan

Iran's national flag waves in Tehran, Iran, March 31, 2020. (AP)
Iran's national flag waves in Tehran, Iran, March 31, 2020. (AP)

Iran foiled a drone attack against a Ministry of Defense complex in the central city of Isfahan overnight, Iranian Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, although Tehran said confirming the report required further investigation.

"The Amir al-Momenin complex in Isfahan was the target of a failed attack by a small drone which was foiled by defense systems," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, adding that the attempt did not cause any damage.

However, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said: "For now, I cannot confirm this as it needs more investigation," when asked by Iranian media about the report during a press conference.

In the past, Tehran has blamed its arch-foe Israel for such attacks, including a drone attack on a military factory near Isfahan in January. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attacks.

The report comes days after Israeli air strikes in Syria hit Iran-linked targets that killed at least two Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members that served as military advisers in Syria.

In January, a Ministry of Defense industrial center was also targeted by a drone attack, which Iran said was unsuccessful and perpetrated by "mercenaries of the Zionist regime".



Khamenei Says Iran-US Talks Going Well but May Lead Nowhere

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei addresses government officials in Tehran on April 15, 2025 - AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei addresses government officials in Tehran on April 15, 2025 - AFP
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Khamenei Says Iran-US Talks Going Well but May Lead Nowhere

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei addresses government officials in Tehran on April 15, 2025 - AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei addresses government officials in Tehran on April 15, 2025 - AFP

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday he was satisfied with talks with the United States but warned they could ultimately prove fruitless.

Tehran and Washington are due to meet again in Muscat on Saturday, a week after top officials held the highest-level talks since the landmark 2015 nuclear accord collapsed.

US President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the deal during his first term, revived his "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign after returning to office in January.

In March, he sent a letter to Khamenei urging talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.

Saturday's talks were "well carried out in the first steps", Khamenei said, quoted by state television, according to AFP.

"Of course, we are very pessimistic about the other side, but we are optimistic about our own capabilities."

But he added that "the negotiations may or may not yield results".

Despite having no diplomatic ties since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, both sides described the talks as "constructive".

Iran insists discussions remain "indirect" and mediated by Oman.

On Monday, Trump again threatened to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if no deal was reached, calling Iranian authorities "radicals" who should not possess nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies seeking an atomic bomb, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, especially energy production.

Khamenei said Iran's "red lines are clear", without elaborating.

In his speech, Khamenei said Iran should not pin its hopes on progress in the negotiations.

"At the time (of the JCPOA), we made everything conditional on the progress of the negotiations," he said.

"This mistake... should not be repeated here."