Israel Strikes Iranian Nuclear Facility, Prepares for Prolonged Campaign/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel struck Iran’s nuclear research hub near Isfahan overnight, targeting centrifuge production facilities and killing at least three senior Iranian commanders. The military signaled readiness for a prolonged campaign against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Iran responded with another drone-and-missile barrage thwarted by Israeli defenses, while global diplomatic efforts faltered and UN officials warned against striking civilian nuclear reactors.
Israel-Iran Airstrikes Quick Looks
- Isfahan hit twice overnight: Israel destroyed two centrifuge-production sites.
- Senior Iranian commanders killed: Including figures tied to missile programs.
- Israel targeting missile launchers: Claims to have destroyed over 50% of Iran’s launch sites.
- Iran’s retaliation intercepted: A limited drone-missile barrage largely neutralized.
- Officials warn of extended campaign: Israel positions for long-term operations.
- Diplomatic efforts stall: Geneva talks ended without resolution.
- UN cautions on reactor attacks: Strikes on Bushehr risk radioactive release
Deep Look
Israel’s military escalated its air campaign on Saturday night, striking a key Iranian nuclear research installation near Isfahan and oiling the wheels of what is being described as a potential prolonged military offensive. Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts showed smoke rising near a mountainous region where centrifuge components are manufactured—marking Israel’s second attack there in less than a week.
Targeted Sites and High-Profile Killings
The raid destroyed two centrifuge production sites at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center, part of a coordinated effort to dismantle Iran’s nuclear processing chain. In parallel, Israeli forces reportedly killed three high-ranking commanders connected to Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure. Among those slain were Saeed Izadi, head of the Quds Force’s Palestine unit—a key architect in arming Hamas during the October 2023 Gaza conflict—and Behnam Shahriyari, director responsible for weapons transfers to Hezbollah and Hamas. A third IRGC senior official, connected to Iran’s drone fleet, was also struck.
Further hits targeted Qom, where Israel claims Izadi was killed in an apartment strike. Tehran acknowledged an attack on a multi-story building with at least two fatalities. Officials say hundreds more Iranian officers and scientists have been killed across earlier waves of Israeli strikes.
Iran’s Retaliation and Israel’s Defense
Iran responded with drone and missile attacks aimed at Israeli territory—reportedly fewer and less potent than earlier barrages. Israel credits its air defenses and preemptive strikes against drone-launch infrastructure for blunting the offensive. Military estimates suggest over half of Iran’s launcher sites have been neutralized, severely degrading its retaliatory capacity.
Preparation for Extended Operations
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed that Israel’s military, under instructions from Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, is preparing for a prolonged air campaign—targeting facilities tied to nuclear weapons development, uranium enrichment, and ballistic missile systems.
“We are deepening our strikes night after night and have amazing achievements,” Defrin stated.
Nuclear Safety Warnings and Diplomatic Deadlock
While Israeli strikes have avoided active nuclear reactors, satellites have detected structural damage to enrichment sites in Natanz, Arak, Fordow, and Tehran. IAEA Director‐General Rafael Grossi warned the UN Security Council that any direct attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant could trigger a “very high release of radioactivity,” with potentially catastrophic cross-border consequences.
Commerzbank data suggests remains from older enriched uranium and uranium hexafluoride leaks could cause environmental contamination even without reactor damage. Regions around Natanz and Isfahan are now under close monitoring.
Meanwhile, formal diplomacy has stalled. Friday’s Geneva meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and European diplomats didn’t yield a ceasefire deal. Tehran ruled out negotiations with the U.S. unless Israel stopped striking, and other nations failed to bridge the gap.
U.S. Involvement and Global Stakes
With the conflict hovering on the brink of broader war, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether to join Israel’s offensive—an outcome Tehran warns would trigger “irreparable damage for everyone.” Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to both sides to “give peace a chance” and avoid escalating into an uncontrollable regional fire.
Russia has also issued grave warnings, stating a strike on Bushehr could result in a “Chernobyl-style catastrophe,” possibly drawing in countries like Russia and China should a disaster emerge.
Regional and Global Implications
Analysts caution that Israel’s reliance on U.S. “bunker busters” for underground sites could mean a near-decade setback to Iran’s nuclear program—yet without American involvement, deeper targets like Fordow remain out of reach. This confrontation may reshape Middle Eastern power dynamics, testing alliances and the durability of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Lower-level damage assessments show residential and civilian infrastructure in Tehran, including senior-with commanders’ neighborhoods, has been affected—raising concerns about war crimes allegations and potential humanitarian fallout, as noted by international legal observers.
On the Ground and Next Steps
The violence, now entering a second week, has resulted in over 430 Iranian deaths, including at least 285 civilians, with 2,500 wounded. In Israel, at least 24 fatalities have been reported, along with hundreds injured from Iranian strikes. Civilians on both sides are fleeing urban areas, fearing further escalation.
As tensions rise, the international community urges prolonged de-escalation and safeguards against nuclear catastrophe. But with military campaigns deepening and diplomacy stalled, the next days may redefine security and stability in the Middle East.
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