Israel has launched a retaliatory strike against Iran just days after Tehran fired more than 300 drones and missiles.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to seek revenge at a "maximum level", reportedly hit sites near a military base early on Friday morning.

Tehran claimed the explosions were as a result of Iran’s air defence systems being activated.

Iranian media also said three drones had been shot down over the city of Isfahan.

Outlets also attempted to downplay this morning's events, with footage released seeking to show Isfahan was safe and calm.

Iran’s space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said “several” drones had been “successfully shot down” and there were no reports of a missile attack.

He added: “There are no reports of a missile attack for now.”

Senior commander of Iran’s Army, Siavosh Mihandoust, also stressed air defence systems were called into action to target a "suspicious object".

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However, White House and Pentagon officials are understood to be closely monitoring the situation following first reports at around 2.40am GMT.

The US were reportedly made aware of Israel's intended strike ahead of the onslaught.

No official confirmation of the attack has been released by Israel, Iran or the US.

Israel was left reeling after Iran launched an unprecedented strike on Saturday.

Most of the drones and missiles launched by Tehran were shot down by Israeli defence systems.

Washington and other powers across the West were attempting to dissuade Israel from taking direct action.

The tit-for-tat strike comes after being initially sparked by an air strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus on April 1.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned Israel before Friday's strike that Tehran would deliver a "severe response" to any attack on its territory.

The latest strike threatens to bring further instability to the Middle East.

Israel's latest conflict with Hamas came after the proscribed terrorist organisation launched an unprecendented and barbaric attack on October 7.

However, with Netanyahu vowing to oblierate Hamas and free remaining Israeli hostages, attacks on the Gaza Strip have proved destructive.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have so far been killed during the subsequent strikes, Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry has claimed.

Tehran-backed groups have also declared support for the plight of the Palestinians, with strikes being launched from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.