logo
Israel army says struck Iran centrifuge production, weapons manufacturing sites

Israel army says struck Iran centrifuge production, weapons manufacturing sites

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel's military said Wednesday it struck a Iranian centrifuge production facility and multiple weapons manufacturing sites, in the latest round of strikes between the archfoes.
'More than 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets… carried out a series of air strikes in the Tehran area over the past few hours,' an Israeli army statement said.
'As part of the broad effort to disrupt Iran's nuclear weapons development program, a centrifuge production facility in Tehran was targeted.'
Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'
'During the wave of attacks, several weapons manufacturing sites were struck, including facilities for producing raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles,' it added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Nation will not bow to foreign pressure' says Iran supreme leader Khamenei
'Nation will not bow to foreign pressure' says Iran supreme leader Khamenei

Express Tribune

time24 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

'Nation will not bow to foreign pressure' says Iran supreme leader Khamenei

Listen to article Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a televised speech on Wednesday, warning the United States and Israel of 'irreparable damage' if they continue military provocations against the Islamic Republic. Khamenei said the Iranian nation 'will never be subdued' and that any attempt at foreign military intervention would be met with full force. He declared that Iran's armed forces are prepared to defend the country and enjoy the full backing of the government. 'The Zionist regime made a grave mistake and will face consequences,' Khamenei said, referring to recent violations of Iranian airspace. 'Iran will not forgive this breach and our people will not remain silent.' 🔴 Leader: Our nation will not forsake the blood of their martyrs, nor will they remain silent in the face of violations of their airspace. 🔴 Leader: The Zionist regime made a grave mistake and will face the consequences of its actions. — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) June 18, 2025 He added that Iran would respond with strength to both 'imposed war' and 'imposed peace', saying the nation would not bow to threats or coercion. 'The blood of our martyrs will not be forsaken,' he said, warning that wise leaders should avoid speaking to Iran 'in a threatening tone' as history shows the Iranian people resist domination. Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. A Washington-based human rights organisation had reported Wednesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes across Tehran and other populated areas has risen to around 585 killed with at least 1,326 people injured since the attacks started last week. Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and 804 injured since Iranian missile attacks struck 40 different locations acrosss Israeli territory. IRGC launches ' advanced weapons' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) earlier announced that the country had carried out fresh strikes on Israeli targets, utilising its newly developed Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles The IRGC's statement emphasised that the Fattah-1 missile had successfully penetrated Israeli air defense systems, delivering a powerful blow to the occupying regime. The missile's high speed and maneuverability reportedly allowed it to bypass advanced defense mechanisms, underscoring Iran's technological advancements in missile technology. The IRGC's statement concluded with a stern warning to Israel and its allies, indicating that any retaliatory actions would be met with decisive responses. Iran fired over 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones since June 13, the Israeli Government Press Office said in a statement. The Iranian attacks resulted in over 40 confirmed impact sites, the office said, without specifying the exact locations. Israeli media confirmed that the latest salvoes set off air raid sirens across the country, including in the Tel Aviv region, where explosions and fires were witnessed. Simultaneously, explosions were also reported in Tehran and Karaj, located west of the capital. Iran's armed forces stated on June 17 that their air defense systems remain operational, tracking and intercepting 28 'hostile aircraft' within 24 hours, including a spy drone attempting to gather intelligence on 'sensitive' locations. These developments come in light of Trump declaring that the US now holds "complete and total control of the skies over Iran." Additional American fighter jets have reportedly been deployed to the Middle East as tensions surge. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei whereabouts 'known' US President Donald Trump said June 17 that Washington knows "exactly" where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is, saying he is safe "for now" while warning that "our patience is wearing thin." Read: Fattah-1: Iran's hypersonic missile turns up heat on Israel's defences "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said in a social media post. "But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" The comments came just minutes after Trump claimed to have "complete and total control" of Iranian airspace. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed June 16 that the US deployed additional military assets to the Middle East, a move he and other senior Trump administration officials have maintained is "defensive" in nature amid speculation that American forces could join Israel's military campaign. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days. In separate comments, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical. Ryabkov warned the US against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such "speculative options," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.

Iran's Khamenei rejects Trump's call for unconditional surrender
Iran's Khamenei rejects Trump's call for unconditional surrender

Business Recorder

timean hour ago

  • Business Recorder

Iran's Khamenei rejects Trump's call for unconditional surrender

DUBAI/JERUSALEM: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement read by a television presenter on Wednesday that his country will not accept U.S. President Donald Trump's call for an unconditional surrender. In his first remarks since Friday, when he delivered a speech broadcast on state media after Israel began bombarding Iran, Khamenei said peace or war could not be imposed on the Islamic Republic. 'Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,' he said. 'The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.' Trump says US won't kill Iranian leader 'for now' as Israel-Iran air war rages on Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight, and a source said Trump was considering options that include joining Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. Israel's military said 50 Israeli jets had struck around 20 targets in Tehran overnight, including sites producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for missiles. A source familiar with internal discussions said Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Iran had conveyed to Washington that it would retaliate against the United States for any direct participation, its ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said. He said he already saw the U.S. as 'complicit in what Israel is doing'.

Fordow targeted by Israel: What is the significance of Iran's most secure nuclear facility amidst Iranian Israeli conflict?
Fordow targeted by Israel: What is the significance of Iran's most secure nuclear facility amidst Iranian Israeli conflict?

Express Tribune

timean hour ago

  • Express Tribune

Fordow targeted by Israel: What is the significance of Iran's most secure nuclear facility amidst Iranian Israeli conflict?

Fordow, Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear facility, is increasingly at the centre of Israeli military calculations as tensions mount over Tehran's uranium enrichment programme. Nuclear fortress under the mountain Buried deep within a mountain near the city of Qom, Fordow houses nearly 3,000 advanced centrifuges across two underground enrichment halls, according to CNN. The site is shielded by layers of rock, tunnel systems and security perimeters, making it one of the most difficult targets to access using conventional military means. Built following Israel's 1981 airstrike on Iraq's Osirak reactor, Fordow reflects Iran's efforts to secure its nuclear infrastructure from potential attacks. JCPOA neutralised Fordow — until Trump pulled out Fordow was effectively neutralised under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which required Iran to strip the site of most of its centrifuges and nuclear material. However, following US President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 during his first term, Iran resumed enrichment activities at Fordow and pushing uranium purity levels to 60%, just shy of weapons-grade. That same year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed over 55,000 documents, allegedly obtained by Israeli intelligence, included blueprints of Fordow and outlined its purported goal to produce weapons-grade uranium. Iran has always dismissed the claims as fabricated. Standard bombs fall short against Fordow's fortress Unlike above-ground facilities, Fordow cannot be reached by most standard munitions. During the initial phase of Israel's attack on June 13, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the site was unaffected. 'As of now, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant has not been impacted,' DG @rafaelmgrossi says after further contacts with Iranian authorities. — IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 13, 2025 Only the US 'bunker buster' can penetrate Fordow's depths According to the Wall Street Journal, only the United States possesses a weapon – the 30,000-pound GBU-57 'bunker buster' bomb – capable of penetrating such depths, and the aircraft, the B-2 stealth bomber, to deliver it. Israel, lacking heavy bombers and denied access to the GBU-57 by US policy, is exploring alternative strategies, according to sources within the country, These include targeting power sources and surface-level infrastructure supporting the Fordo complex, or even conducting covert operations aimed at disabling entrances or critical systems. Military officials stress the importance of Fordow due to its advanced enrichment capabilities. In March 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported uranium enriched to 83.7% at the site—just short of weapons-grade levels. Fordow presents a more complex challenge because any attack could trigger wider regional conflict. U.S. commanders have warned that striking Fordo may result in radioactive fallout and international condemnation. Iran insists its nuclear programme remains peaceful, while Israel views Fordo as a critical obstacle to non-proliferation efforts. As diplomatic options narrow, the mountain that shields Fordo may soon lie at the heart of a global geopolitical confrontation.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store