Activation of air defenses in Tehran

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Iran activated its air defenses over the capital, Tehran, without the reasons being clearly identified, at a time when negotiations between the United States and the Asian state are experiencing a stalemate.

The Iranian agencies Tasnim and Fars reported late Thursday night that sounds of air defenses were heard in Tehran’s airspace.

Tasnim stated: “The sound of air defense activation was heard in some areas of Tehran. It is not yet clear whether this is related to a defensive test or to counter what may be reconnaissance drones over the capital.”

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Fars published a similar report.

Later, the two agencies indicated that the air defense was activated “to counter small aircraft and reconnaissance drones,” noting that “the sound of the air defenses stopped 20 minutes after activation.”

On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel “may be forced to act again” against Iran to ensure it does not pose a threat to his country.

In a statement issued Thursday by his office, Katz said that U.S. President Donald Trump, in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is leading efforts to achieve the objectives of the campaign, “to ensure that Iran will no longer, in the future, pose a threat to Israel, the United States, and the free world.”

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He added: “We support this effort and provide the necessary backing, but we may soon need to act again to ensure these objectives are achieved.”

Since the beginning of the war at the end of last February, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.

Following the ceasefire that took effect on April 8, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, saying it was a response to Tehran’s continued closure of the vital maritime passage.

• Washington, Tehran, and mediators discuss a phased truce to achieve a ceasefire

• Tehran makes guarantees and a permanent ceasefire a precondition for any negotiations

Recently, a senior U.S. official indicated that the blockade could continue “for months if necessary.”

Earlier, President Donald Trump described the blockade as “slightly more effective than bombing,” in an interview with the website Axios.

According to the same site, Trump was scheduled to receive a military briefing on Thursday regarding potential new military operations.

The war broke out on February 28 following a joint Israeli-American attack. Despite the ceasefire and a round of talks held on the 11th of the current month in Islamabad, diplomatic efforts have not resulted in an agreement to end the conflict.

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