Explosions and gunfire over Iranian Karaj. Tehran: military exercise

 People in the city of Karaj west of Iran’s capital reported hearing gunshots and explosions Thursday night, and the BBC Persian service carried a video showing anti-aircraft fire in the town’s skies. Iranian state media explalined that a military training exercise was taking place in the area. IRNA later tweeted that air defenses were activated in the drill. Last week, the Pentagon confirmed an Iranian drone attack on an Israeli-owned ship in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 10. On Jan. 28, Israeli drones reportedly hit a military plant in Isfahan.

Ahead of the coalition’s debate on the new state budget Thursday night, PM Binyamin Netanyahu is reported to have held five meetings on possible strikes against Iranian nuclear targets with defense and intelligence chiefs.