BREAKING: Israel launches drone strikes on Iran

Iran said that they had successfully fended off the Israeli attack, which consisted of three quadcopters. One of the drones was brought down by Iran, while two others exploded above the target. Those small drones targeted an Isfahan munitions factory, which is located next to the US-sanctioned Iran Space Research Center.

The target of Israel's attack, the Journal reports, "was a wharehouse located behind a mall is Isfahan that Iran said was an ammunition storehouse." There was only minor damage to that building, per satellite imagery.

Israel did not comment on the matter, but Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said "Such actions cannot impact the determination and intent of our experts for peaceful nuclear progress," and called the strike "cowardly."

However, Israel's top general told the Wall Street Journal last week that preparations for the worst case scenario were already underway. The armed forces of the US and Israel have been working together on joint military exercises, including the largest one held between those two nations, which occurred last week.

This exercise, which involved more than 7,500 personnel, saw troops and military leaders testing out various scenarios "to test their ability to take out air-defense systems and refuel jet planes—both of which could be key elements of a major military strike on Iran," the Journal reports.

Israel and the US have been working to figure out how to deal with Iran's escalating power, which lies with their continued and increased relationship with Russia. Iran's operations have been destabilizing both in the area and for the US, as Iran has given Moscow hundreds of drones that Putin then uses to attack Ukraine. The US has been funneling cash and weapons to Ukraine for months.

The CIA's Agency Director William Burns was in Israel last week to discuss these issues, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will be in Israel this coming week, where talks will ensue about how to handle growing tensions in the already very tense Middle East.

The exercises held jointly between the US and Israel sent "a very clear message to Iran," Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi said, "if Iran makes mistakes, offense capabilities are getting ready."

President Joe Biden has failed to create a nuclear containment deal with Iran. While Israel continues to press the US to take a tougher stance on Iran, that has not been the purview of the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Biden wants Israel's backing as the US pursues war with Russia through Ukraine. Israel has not yet come on board with that scenario, as they are concerned for their own, more regional interests.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.