Israel hits Iranian centrifuge and missile sites in airstrikes
Israel struck several military targets in Iran, including a centrifuge production facility and several weapons manufacturing sites in Tehran, on Tuesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The operation, which involved more than 50 fighter jets, targeted Iran's nuclear weapons and missile programs, the IDF said in a statement.
The Israeli air force struck a centrifuge production site near Tehran that the IDF claimed was designed to 'enable the Iranian regime to expand the scale and speed of its uranium enrichment to develop nuclear weapons.' The IDF described it as 'a key facility for centrifuge production.'
In addition to the centrifuge facility, the IDF said its jets hit factories that make missile components.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Israeli airstrikes targeted two centrifuge production facilities linked to Iran's nuclear program.
In a statement posted on X, the agency named the sites as the Tehran Research Center and the TESA workshop in Karaj, a city west of the capital.
The IDF claimed Iran is enriching uranium at levels 'not required for civilian use,' and said the strike was 'part of the broad effort to operate against Iran's nuclear weapons development project.'
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60% purity, far above the 3.67% cap set under the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal, which was rendered null and void after President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from it during his first term.
Despite Israel's claims, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency does 'not have any proof of a systematic effort' by Iran to move closer to producing a nuclear weapon, in an interview with CNN.
Despite the ongoing talks between the US and Iran, late last week Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, killing a number of senior commanders and scientists. Iran responded with missile strikes on Israel.
Moscow, which had earlier offered to mediate between the two sides, condemned Israel's strike and warned that further escalation could destabilize the entire region. The Russian Foreign Ministry also called on Israel to 'come to its senses and immediately stop raids on nuclear installations.'
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