Israel Hits an Iranian Nuclear Research Facility, Says It’s Preparing for Possibly Long War
Israel ‘s military said Saturday it struck an Iranian nuclear research facility overnight and killed three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks, while emphasizing it was preparing for the possibility of a lengthy war.
Smoke rose from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where Isfahan province’s deputy governor for security affairs, Akbar Salehi, confirmed the Israeli strikes damaged the facility but caused no casualties.
The target was two centrifuge production sites, according to an Israeli military official speaking on condition of anonymity under army guidelines to brief reporters. It was the second attack on Isfahan, which was hit in the first 24 hours of the war as part of Israel’s goal to destroy Iran’s nuclear program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the latest attack.
Iran launched a new wave of drones and missiles at Israel but there were no immediate reports of significant damage. The Magen David Adom rescue service said a drone hit a two-story building in northern Israel, with no casualties.
The Israeli official called it a “small barrage” that was largely intercepted by Israel’s defenses. The official estimated that Israel’s military has taken out more than 50% of Iran’s launchers.
“We’re making it harder for them to fire toward Israel,” he said. “Having said all that, I want to say the Iranian regime obviously still has capabilities.”
The Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, later said Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the army to be prepared for a “prolonged campaign.”
