In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Israel and Iran have targeted key defence infrastructures with the former directly striking Iran’s energy infrastructure and its defence ministry headquarters and sites related to “nuclear weapons project”.Since Friday night, Iran has launched around 200 missiles and numerous explosive drones at Israel, according to Israeli officials. Tehran launched missiles toward major Israeli cities—including the port city of Haifa, home to the country’s largest oil refinery. The attacks have killed at least seven Israeli civilians and injured over 200 people, including seven soldiers. The strikes — some of the most direct and destructive since tensions flared days ago — marked a dangerous new phase in the confrontation, with both nations now openly targeting critical military and civilian assets.
What Israel targeted?
The Israel Defence Forces have informed that their military targeted Iran’s “nuclear weapons project” where the regime “hid its nuclear archive”.“The IDF completed an extensive series of strikes on targets in Tehran related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project. The targets included the Iranian Ministry of Defense headquarters, the headquarters of the SPND nuclear project, and additional targets, which advanced the Iranian regime’s efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon and where the Iranian regime hid its nuclear archive,” it said in a post on X.Here’s an overview of sites targeted by Israel:
- Iran’s defence ministry headquarters in Tehran
- Sites allegedly linked to Iran’s nuclear programme
- A natural gas processing facility at the South Pars field — reportedly the first Israeli strike on Iran’s oil and gas industry.
- More than 400 targets, according to Israeli army spokesman Brig Gen Effie Defrin, including 40 in Tehran alone. Defrin said dozens of Israeli fighter jets operated “freely” over Iranian airspace in the most extensive incursion yet.
Satellite images of Iranian missile bases near Tabriz (top) and Kermanshah (bottom) before and after Israeli strikes (Image credit: AP)
What Iran hit?
- Strikes directed at Haifa, home to Israel’s largest oil refinery, hinting at attempts to damage critical infrastructure.
- Israeli civilian areas, with missiles striking a residential building in the Galilee town of Safed, killing four people and wounding over a dozen, according to emergency services.
- Other unspecified military targets, as explosions were reported across northern and central Israel.
Israeli PM Netanyahu claimed each Iranian missile carried around 2,000 pounds of explosives, though experts say the actual payload varies. Missile expert Tal Inbar noted that Iran’s ballistic missiles typically carry 300 to 700 kg (660 to 1,540 pounds) of explosives, with total warhead weight reaching up to 2,200 pounds, the New York Times reported.
Israeli building hit by a missile fired from Iran (Image credit: AP)Iran’s UN ambassador reported that Israeli strikes had killed 78 people and wounded over 320. Israel claimed to have eliminated several top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Meanwhile, the sixth round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme have been suspended. A senior US official said, “We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon.”