Israel has launched a series of “precise, preemptive” airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, citing what it calls an imminent threat of Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation early Friday, stating it was necessary to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the strikes were prompted by escalating Iranian aggression and intelligence assessments indicating that Iran is now closer than ever to developing a nuclear bomb.
“For years, the Iranian regime has openly called for Israel’s destruction and has been actively advancing military plans to achieve that goal. Over recent months, intelligence has confirmed that Iran is dangerously close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF launched preemptive and targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities to halt their immediate nuclear ambitions,” Defrin said in a press briefing.
He emphasized that the operation was essential for Israel’s survival and regional stability.
“We are confronting an imminent and existential threat. This is about defending our nation’s right to exist and ensuring a secure future for the next generation. Israel cannot and will not allow the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear capabilities that endanger not just us, but the entire world,” he added.
According to Defrin, the Israeli military had undergone significant preparations ahead of the operation and remains fully equipped for both offensive and defensive responses.
“We are prepared on all fronts. The IDF is ready to defend the State of Israel, and we will continue to act wherever and whenever necessary,” he stated.
As reported by The Times of Israel, loud explosions were heard in Natanz, a city in Iran’s Isfahan province that houses one of the country’s primary uranium enrichment sites. Iranian state television also confirmed the blasts, which appear to have occurred near a crucial nuclear facility.
Natanz is home to two major nuclear plants: the underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) above ground. Iran has also been constructing fortified tunnels in nearby mountains following suspected Israeli sabotage operations in recent years.
In addition to Natanz, Iran operates another underground nuclear facility at Fordo, and experts have long warned that both sites are critical to Iran’s enrichment capabilities.
The full extent of the damage caused by Israel’s airstrikes has not yet been confirmed, and Iranian authorities have not officially responded to the attack at the time of reporting.
Tensions between the two nations have been intensifying for months, with Israel repeatedly warning that it would take action to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state.
