Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

Iranian air defense systems were activated Thursday in response to "hostile targets" over the capital Tehran, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.

According to separate reports by state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country's air defense systems downed Israeli drones in the south of Tehran.

A substantial explosion took place early Friday morning in the northwestern Iranian city Rasht, prompting the activation of the local air defense system. According to reports, a local industrial park was the intended target of the attack.

Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes on Thursday night and Friday morning, targeting each other's critical infrastructures and military facilities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement on Thursday that it had launched a broad aerial campaign across Iran, including a strike targeting the inactive Arak nuclear reactor in western Iran.

The IDF said the operation involved over 100 munitions, 40 fighter jets and intelligence coordination, targeting dozens of military sites throughout Iran, including its capital Tehran.

In response to the Israeli offensive, Iran targeted Israel's military intelligence facilities in its strikes on the southern part of the country on Thursday morning, not a hospital as was reported by some media outlets, IRNA said.

The rapid escalation marks the most direct, large-scale confrontation between the two regional adversaries in recent years.

Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

Iranian air defenses "confront hostile targets" over Tehran: state media

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests