Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting the Dimona nuclear facility in southern Israel, wounding over 100 people as projectiles evaded air defense systems in a significant escalation of the Middle East conflict.
Iran has launched a ballistic missile strike targeting the area near Israel’s Dimona nuclear research facility in southern Israel, according to Iranian state television. The attack was carried out in response to a strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site.
Two ballistic missiles equipped with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms penetrated Israeli air defense systems and struck near the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, located approximately 13 kilometers from Dimona. Israeli authorities are currently investigating how the missiles evaded air defense networks.
The strikes wounded 40 people in Dimona and 68 in the nearby city of Arad. Among the injured, 11 individuals including a 10 year old boy are reported to be in serious condition. The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that no damage to the nuclear research facility has been reported, and no radiation leaks occurred at either the Dimona or Natanz sites.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the importance of maintaining maximum military restraint around nuclear facilities. The Dimona reactor has long been considered the location of Israel’s nuclear weapons arsenal for over six decades. Although officially designated as a research center, Israel is widely acknowledged as the only nuclear power in the Middle East.
