On Thursday, Israel conducted an airstrike targeting facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) reported targeting various sites, including an inactive nuclear reactor in Arak, a weapons development facility, and a missile and air defense production site near Natanz.
The military stated that these facilities could enhance Iran’s capability to develop nuclear weapons and pose threats to Israeli civilians.
This attack marks the seventh day of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, representing a significant action by the IDF aimed at diminishing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, discussions are lingering in the U.S. about whether they should play a mediating role, following President Trump’s stance.
Trump, who has shown support for Hamas, which intensifies the tension with Iran, has been at odds with IDF forces engaged in the ongoing conflict in Gaza since October of this year.
On Wednesday, when asked if he was inclined to advocate for a U.S. strike on Iran, Trump sidestepped the question. “You really think I’m going to answer that?” he queried. “I might do that, I might not. Who knows what I’ll decide? But let’s be clear, Iran has significant issues.” His remarks touched on the stalled nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, questioning why negotiations hadn’t happened earlier amidst the current turmoil.
In response, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that a U.S. intervention would result in “irreparable damage.” He emphasized that it would be unwise to expect the Iranian state to capitulate.
On the same day as the strike, the IDF also reported the destruction of the Iranian domestic police headquarters. Conversely, missiles from Iran struck a hospital in southern Israel, resulting in over 200 injuries.
