Israel vowed to respond after Iran launched around 180 missiles toward the country on Tuesday. Many of these missiles were intercepted by the Israeli military. In reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that they would take action.
Earlier this year, following another missile attack from Iran, Israel retaliated with airstrikes, including one on a military base in Iran housing the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Israel considers Iran’s nuclear weapons program a significant threat.
According to reports, Israel may target Iranian nuclear facilities in response, particularly focusing on uranium enrichment sites in Natanz, which are central to Iran’s nuclear program. However, Israeli missiles would need to fly over neighboring countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, or Iraq to reach these targets. Israel has shown that it is capable of successfully hitting distant targets.
Iranian Nuclear Facilities:
- Natanz: Located about 300 kilometers south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s main uranium enrichment site. It was built in underground bunkers for protection against airstrikes and has faced several sabotage attempts attributed to Israel.
- Isfahan: This city contains a nuclear technology center that processes uranium for enrichment.
- Saghand: This uranium mine, located northeast of Yazd, provides raw uranium for Iran’s nuclear program.
- Bushehr: Iran’s first civilian nuclear power plant is situated along the Persian Gulf and generates electricity for civilian use.
- Tehran: The Tehran Research Reactor produces medical isotopes but has raised concerns about potential military applications.
- Parchin: About 30 kilometers southeast of Tehran, this facility is officially a testing site for conventional weapons, but there are reports of nuclear-related activities.
- Karaj: Near Karaj, this research center focuses on agricultural and medical nuclear technologies and may be involved in uranium enrichment.
- Qom: The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is built inside a mountain for protection against airstrikes and produces highly enriched uranium.
- Arak: This heavy water reactor, modified after the 2015 nuclear deal, avoids the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.
