Iranian Missiles Target Southern Israel Following Natanz Nuclear Facility Strike
Dimona, Israel – Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, injuring at least 180 people and shattering buildings in a significant escalation of tensions. The attacks targeted Dimona and Arad, located near Israel’s key nuclear research centre, marking the first time Iranian missiles have penetrated Israeli air defenses in that region.
The strikes came hours after Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz was hit earlier in the day. While Israel has denied responsibility for the Natanz attack, which occurred approximately 220km (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, the timing strongly suggests a retaliatory pattern. The Natanz facility was also targeted during previous conflicts, including incidents in the first week of the ongoing war and a 12-day conflict last June.
Israel’s military acknowledged it was unable to intercept the missiles that reached Dimona and Arad, both situated in the sparsely populated Negev desert. Dimona is approximately 20km (12 miles) west of the nuclear research centre, and Arad lies around 35km (22 miles) to the north.
The Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed at least 180 people were wounded in the attacks.
The international community is reacting with concern. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, warned that such strikes pose a “real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.” The Pentagon has declined to comment on the Natanz strike.
Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities, neither confirming nor denying the existence of nuclear weapons. The United Nations nuclear watchdog reported via X (formerly Twitter) that it had not received reports of damage to the Israeli centre or abnormal radiation levels.
This exchange of attacks underscores the volatile situation in the region and raises fears of further escalation. The tit-for-tat strikes highlight the increasing directness of conflict between Iran and Israel, with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional stability.
Reporting by AFP, AP, EPA, and Reuters.
