Air Defense Activated in Tabriz Amid Drone Alert — No Attack Reported

According to Saed News, the Eastern Azerbaijan division of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known as the Ashura Corps, has clarified that air defense systems were activated over Tabriz on Tuesday evening solely as a precautionary measure to address the presence of small unmanned aerial vehicles — commonly referred to as micro-drones.

In a public statement released through state-affiliated outlets, the IRGC emphasized that no attack had taken place and urged residents to remain calm. “There is no reason for concern,” the announcement read. “The air defense response was part of standard operational procedures to secure the skies and neutralize unauthorized aerial activity.”

Reports of loud noises and flashes in the sky quickly circulated on social media, prompting speculation of a possible assault or security breach. However, subsequent updates from Iranian news agencies including ISNA and Khabar Online confirmed that the noises originated from defensive counter-drone operations.

Military analysts note that the use of micro-drones for surveillance or psychological disruption has increased in recent conflicts, often triggering defensive countermeasures even when the drones pose limited direct threat. The heightened sensitivity in airspace operations follows weeks of military tension and repeated threats across the region.

While authorities have not disclosed the origin of the detected drones or provided further technical details, the swift response underscores Iran's current high-alert posture in managing aerial threats, especially in strategically sensitive cities like Tabriz.

Officials have reiterated that public safety remains a top priority and that defense systems will remain active to ensure continued airspace integrity.