Air defence systems activated in parts of Tehran, Iranian media report

TEHRAN: Iranian media reported late on Thursday that air defence systems were activated in parts of the capital, with one outlet saying they were engaging what it described as hostile targets.

Nour News said air defence batteries had been activated in some areas of Tehran, but did not provide details on what prompted the move and did not report any incident.

Separately, Mehr news agency reported that air defence systems could be heard engaging what it described as hostile targets in parts of Tehran.

Mehr also published video showing several flashes in the night sky over western Tehran and said the footage had been recorded at a pro-government rally.

The cause of the activation was not immediately known.

Israeli minister issues warning

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was waiting for a green light from the United States to resume the war on Iran.

He said that if fighting resumed, Israel would begin by targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and would return Iran to a dark age.

This time the attack will be different and deadly, delivering devastating blows in the most sensitive places.

The statement was released by Katz’s office.

The developments came as tensions involving Iran remained in focus, with the reports from Tehran emerging hours after Katz’s remarks about a possible renewed conflict.

Nour News did not say whether the air defence activation was linked to any specific threat, and Mehr did not identify the targets it described as hostile. Neither report provided further operational details.

Mehr’s footage showed flashes over the western part of the city during the night. No additional information was given about damage, casualties or the nature of the objects being engaged.

The reports from the Iranian outlets were published as a developing situation, with the immediate reason for the air defence response still unclear at the time of reporting.

Earlier in the day, Katz’s comments added to the sharp rhetoric surrounding the conflict. In the statement issued by his office, he said Israel was awaiting US approval before resuming military action against Iran and outlined what he said would be the nature of any renewed assault.

Iranian media reports on Thursday night, however, were limited to the activation of air defence systems in parts of Tehran and the sounds of engagement reported by Mehr.