Iran launched missile strikes late Saturday targeting the Israeli towns of Dimona and Arad, injuring more than 100 people in what Tehran described as retaliation for attacks on its nuclear facility at Natanz Nuclear Facility.
Dimona, home to the sensitive Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, appeared to be a key target. According to reports, two ballistic missiles made direct impact, ripping through residential buildings and leaving large craters. Firefighters cited by AFP said air defence systems were activated but failed to intercept the incoming threats, allowing missiles with heavy warheads to strike populated areas.
Emergency responders from Magen David Adom reported that at least 84 people were injured in Arad, including 10 in serious condition, while 33 others were wounded in Dimona. Paramedics described scenes of widespread destruction and panic, with damaged homes and debris scattered across affected neighbourhoods.
Visuals circulating online showed a fireball descending from the sky moments before impact, underscoring the intensity of the missiles. Rescue teams and military personnel were deployed through the night to search for survivors and assess structural damage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed it a “very difficult evening,” pledging to reinforce emergency and rescue operations while urging civilians to follow safety advisories. He reiterated that Israel would continue military operations across multiple fronts.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it had begun strikes on targets in Tehran in response. Military spokesperson Effie Defrin acknowledged that air defence systems had been activated but failed to intercept the missile, adding that an investigation into the lapse was underway.
The escalation follows earlier strikes on Iran’s Natanz facility, a critical site in its nuclear programme located about 220 kilometres southeast of Tehran. Iranian authorities stated that no radiation leak had occurred following the attack, a position earlier echoed by international monitors after previous strikes during the Iran–Israel conflict June 2025.
With both sides exchanging direct strikes, the latest developments mark a sharp intensification in the conflict, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.
Also Read: Iran Sets Three Conditions For Ending War With US And Israel https://www.vibesofindia.com/iran-sets-three-conditions-for-ending-war-with-us-and-israel/
