An Iranian missile strike has hit the town of Dimona in southern Israel, near to a nuclear facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated it was not aware of any damage to the nuclear research facility located about eight miles (13 km) outside Dimona. Iranian state TV reported that the strike was a response to a prior attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility earlier on Saturday, though the IAEA noted that there had been no increase in off-site radiation levels after that incident.
Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's director general, emphasized the need for maximum military restraint, especially in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. Israel's ambulance service reported that 40 people were treated after the Dimona strike, including 37 with mild injuries and one 10-year-old boy in serious condition. Additionally, 68 others received treatment following a separate strike in the nearby town of Arad. An emergency medical technician described the scene in Arad as severe, with many wounded varying degrees.
Israeli authorities are now investigating how the missiles penetrated air defense systems, as interceptors were launched but failed to hit the threats, resulting in direct hits by ballistic missiles. The Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, colloquially known as the 'Dimona reactor', is believed to house Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal, making it a significant target. Both Israel and the US consider the prevention of any Iranian capability to develop nuclear weapons a crucial war objective.
Iran has condemned the previously reported attack on Natanz as a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while also affirming that no radioactive material leakage was reported and there was no danger to surrounding residents. The situation remains tense as both nations navigate this latest spike in conflict.
Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's director general, emphasized the need for maximum military restraint, especially in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. Israel's ambulance service reported that 40 people were treated after the Dimona strike, including 37 with mild injuries and one 10-year-old boy in serious condition. Additionally, 68 others received treatment following a separate strike in the nearby town of Arad. An emergency medical technician described the scene in Arad as severe, with many wounded varying degrees.
Israeli authorities are now investigating how the missiles penetrated air defense systems, as interceptors were launched but failed to hit the threats, resulting in direct hits by ballistic missiles. The Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, colloquially known as the 'Dimona reactor', is believed to house Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal, making it a significant target. Both Israel and the US consider the prevention of any Iranian capability to develop nuclear weapons a crucial war objective.
Iran has condemned the previously reported attack on Natanz as a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while also affirming that no radioactive material leakage was reported and there was no danger to surrounding residents. The situation remains tense as both nations navigate this latest spike in conflict.
