An Iranian official has refuted claims of a missile attack on the city of Isfahan, stating that the explosions heard were the result of Iran's air defense system being activated. The denial was conveyed to the British news agency Reuters on Friday, though the identity of the Iranian official was not disclosed.

Reports emerged earlier suggesting that Iranian state television had claimed the Iranian army shot down three Israeli drones over Isfahan. However, the Reuters report contradicted this, stating that the noises heard were due to the activation of Iran's air defense system, not the result of a missile attack.

According to Reuters, three drones were indeed spotted over Isfahan at approximately 4 am local time, prompting Iran to activate its air defense system and destroy the drones in the sky.

The conflicting reports come amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel, triggered by an earlier assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

Adding to the confusion, Iran's state media reported an explosion near a major airport in Isfahan province, prompting Iran to deploy an air defense battery in the area.

Meanwhile, American media outlet ABC News cited a senior American official alleging that Israel had launched a missile attack on a site in Iran. However, both Israel and Iran have remained silent on the matter, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.

As tensions escalate in the region, the conflicting reports and lack of official statements from involved parties only serve to further exacerbate concerns over the potential for further escalation in the already volatile situation.