Iranian Missile Strikes Near Israeli Nuclear Facility Cause International Concern

Iranian Missiles Strike Southern Israel Communities

Two communities in southern Israel were targeted by Iranian missiles late on Saturday, resulting in significant damage and injuries. The attacks occurred near Israel’s main nuclear research center.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility was struck, approximately 220km southeast of Tehran. Israel denied involvement in the Natanz attack, which also occurred during the first week of the war and the 12-day conflict last June.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the strike at Natanz. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that such attacks pose a “real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.”

Iran retaliated hours later, with Israeli military officials confirming that their air defense systems were unable to intercept missiles targeting Dimona and Arad. The largest city near the nuclear site is located in Israel’s sparsely populated Negev desert.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, at least 180 people were wounded in the missile attacks on Dimona and nearby Arad. Dimona is approximately 20km west of the nuclear research center, while Arad is around 35km north. The UN nuclear watchdog has not reported any damage to the Israeli center or abnormal radiation levels.

The incident marks the first time Iranian missiles have penetrated Israel’s air defense systems in the area surrounding a key nuclear facility.

Source: Al Jazeera