In a dramatic buildup of West Asian tensions, Israel carried out a series of air raids on Friday meant to cripple Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities. Among the main targets was the Natanz nuclear plant, a key part of Tehran’s drive to enrich uranium.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he was initiating ‘Operation Rising Lion’, an offensive that would last several days. “We have struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment, its top scientists, and its ballistic missile program,” Netanyahu declared on television.
The attack killed six nuclear scientists, Iran’s state-controlled Tasnim news agency reported, and also targeted individuals involved with Iran’s missile development programs.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed Natanz, Iran’s largest nuclear facility, was damaged. But no radioactive leakage occurred.. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is responsible for Iran’s nuclear program, stated that it had “not detected any increase in the level of radiation at the site.
CNN, citing the IAEA, reported: “The country’s largest nuclear complex, Natanz, was confirmed targeted, with videos and photos of smoke rising over the facility. There has been no spike in radiation levels there.”
Tehran has not retaliated militarily, but Iranian leaders have denounced the airstrikes as a ‘blatant act of aggression’ and threatened retaliation.
This attack marks a significant escalation in the clandestine war between Israel and Iran. Authorities warn of possible further decline in the situation, maybe to retaliation or in global oil supplies.
The airstrikes followed yesterday’s passage by the IAEA of a rare resolution, its first in almost 20 years to declare Iran to be in non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation commitments. This action is likely to make way for action at the UN level against Iran.
But the United States, the European Union, and other global powers called for restraint and cautioned both nations to stop provoking each other and remain calm.