Iranian strike hits near Israeli nuclear facility after Tehran says its site targeted

An Iranian missile strike targeted the town of Dimona in southern Israel, close to a nuclear research facility.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed no damage to the facility and reported no increase in off-site radiation levels following the incident.

Iranian state TV claimed the attack was retaliatory for an earlier strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.

The IAEA’s director general, Rafael Grossi, called for maximum military restraint near nuclear sites.

In Dimona, 40 individuals were treated for injuries, including a serious case involving a 10-year-old boy. A separate strike in the town of Arad left an additional 68 people injured.

Emergency responders described the situation in Arad as severe, with varying degrees of injury among the wounded.

Israeli authorities are investigating how the missiles circumvented their air defense systems, noting that interceptor missiles were launched but failed to intercept the threats, leading to direct hits.

The Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona is known for its long-standing connection to Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, leading to significant concern over any threats to the facility.

Both Israel and the US view preventing Iranian nuclear weapon capabilities as a critical objective in the ongoing conflict.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation condemned the Natanz strike as a breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, yet reported no leakage of radioactive materials.

Natanz had previously been targeted in early war actions, including US-Israeli strikes. The Israeli Defence Forces stated they were not aware of the recent strike on Natanz.