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Israel has launched an unprecedented series of extensive attacks on Iran, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing animosity between the two nations. This conflict adds to the ongoing hostilities already present in the Middle East, following recent clashes in Gaza and Lebanon. Following the events of October 7, 2023, known as “Black Saturday,” Benjamin Netanyahu and Tel Aviv made it clear that Iran was the primary target, and they were prepared to bear any cost to achieve their objectives.
In a highly symbolic move coinciding with Friday, a traditional day of prayer for Muslims, Israel deployed hundreds of fighter jets in a highly coordinated operation, showcasing a level of military planning surpassing even the airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Critical Role of Mossad and Iran’s Unawareness
Hours after the initial strikes on Iranian territory, Israel released videos showing its intelligence and elite military units operating within Iran, confirming the significant planning that had gone into this operation, which unfolded in multiple phases targeting various objectives.
It appears that Mossad agents spent months meticulously organizing this operation, reportedly with some internal support. This isn’t the first instance of Israel successfully breaching Iran’s security; in July 2024, a prominent Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in a bomb-laden apartment in Tehran.
Despite the Iranian regime’s enhanced security measures, Israel not only executed a successful strike but also systematically targeted key military installations, including nuclear program sites, neutralizing some of Iran’s most important military figures and several key nuclear scientists. Within 11 hours, Tel Aviv penetrated Iran’s renowned security defenses without any officially recorded casualties, accomplishing what had previously seemed unattainable.
Targeted Locations of Israeli Strikes
Key areas affected included Tehran and nearby military facilities such as:
- Natanz: The site of major explosions at the principal uranium enrichment facility.
- Tabriz: Explosions occurred near a nuclear research center and two military bases.
- Isfahan: Located south of Tehran.
- Arak: Southwest of Tehran.
- Kermanshah: West of Tehran, where a ballistic missile storage site near the Iraq border was hit.
An Overview of the Nuclear Program
Natanz
Approximately 225 km south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility and was heavily affected by the recent strikes. The facility is partly underground and had undergone reinforcements recently.
Natanz operates numerous advanced centrifuges, including modern designs for producing highly enriched uranium. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nearly 14,000 centrifuges are currently operational, with thousands more ready but inactive.
Low-enriched uranium is utilized for energy production, while highly enriched uranium can be weaponized.
Natanz had previously faced attacks, such as the Stuxnet virus about 15 years ago and a sabotage event in 2021, with Iran repairing and upgrading its centrifuge technology each time.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirmed last Friday that Natanz had been targeted but noted that no radioactive leakage was detected. He criticized the attacks on nuclear facilities, stating they pose grave dangers, echoing concerns raised regarding military actions in Ukraine: “Any military action that jeopardizes the safety of nuclear sites has serious consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond,” he stated to the agency’s board in Vienna.
Fordow
Situated near the holy city of Qom and approximately 800 meters underground, Fordow is Iran’s most secure nuclear site, designed to protect it from airstrikes. No attempts were made by Israel to target this installation, as doing so would necessitate specialized bunker-busting bombs, unlikely without direct support from the U.S.
Fordow remained a secret until its discovery in 2009 and is home to the most advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium up to 60%, nearing the threshold for weapons-grade material. It reportedly contains about 3,000 centrifuges, primarily cutting-edge, with the capacity for at least 1,000 additional units.
Parchin
Parchin is a military complex located southeast of Tehran, where Iran is suspected of conducting high-explosive tests likely utilized as triggers for nuclear warheads. Iran has consistently denied these allegations and has rejected IAEA requests for access.
Bushehr
Bushehr serves as Iran’s sole operational nuclear power plant and is situated along the Persian Gulf, functioning on Russian-supplied fuel.
Tehran’s Significant Loss
The recent operation resulted in the death of Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guards. Israel displayed extraordinary intelligence regarding his whereabouts, targeting one of his many residences. Salami, a pivotal figure in Iran’s nuclear program and a significant roadblock to U.S. efforts for a nuclear deal, had taken extensive measures to protect himself, often altering his location.
Renowned for his hardline position against both Israel and the U.S., Salami was subject to U.N. and U.S. sanctions dating back to 2006 due to his involvement with Iran’s ballistic missile initiative. In April 2021, the EU imposed sanctions on him and several other Iranian officials for their role in suppressing the November 2019 protests.
In September 2023, French authorities charged Salami along with other high-ranking officials for inciting terrorism against supporters of the Mahsa Amini protests—termed the “Hijab Revolution.” He also played a critical role in orchestrating drone and missile attacks against Israel in 2024.
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