It was the first time since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28 that drone attacks had been reported in the Iranian capital.

Fars said the drones flew over southern and northern districts of Tehran, adding that "several members of the security force and the (volunteer) Basij force stationed at checkpoints were martyred".

An AFP journalist in the northern part of the city heard the loud noise of a drone flying over the area.

There were several blasts, including one more powerful than the rest.

It was unclear whether the blasts were connected to the air defence system or to strikes.