Israel Strikes Iran's Largest Nuclear Facility in Fresh Attacks

Newsweek

5 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Israel has targeted Iran's largest nuclear facility in an airstrike on Saturday, according to an official in the Islamic republic.
Israeli sources reported the destruction of Isfahan nuclear research complex although Iranian state media said there was no leakage of hazardous materials from the strike.
It comes as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready for a negotiated solution to its nuclear program Tehran says is for peaceful purposes, although the Islamic republic has said it would not hold talks while under threat.
But Alex Adamo, founder of negotiation firm The Commercialiser, told Newsweek that "Iran is cornered with very few options."
Newsweek has contacted the Iranian foreign ministry for comment.
Demonstrators wave Iranian flags during a protest against Israeli attacks on Iran, after the Friday prayer ceremonies on June 20, 2025 in central Tehran, Iran.
Demonstrators wave Iranian flags during a protest against Israeli attacks on Iran, after the Friday prayer ceremonies on June 20, 2025 in central Tehran, Iran.Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has said he would wait for two weeks to decide on U.S. military intervention in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Experts have suggested that the U.S.'s 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb is the only weapon that can destroy Iran's underground Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
As the world waits for Trump's decision, Israel is continuing with the goal of Operation Rising Lion to destroy Iran's ability to develop a nuclear bomb. But Israel's latest strikes will stoke fears about the leak of hazardous materials and other consequences.
What To Know
Israel attacked Iran's Isfahan nuclear site on Saturday, Iran's Fars news agency reported, citing a local official.
The Israel Defense Force released footage of what it said showed the aftermath of its airstrikes on the site and social media users posed video of smoke coming from the site.
There were many attacks including on the Isfahan site but no evidence of leakage of hazardous materials although residents were advised to avoid the area, Iranian state media noted. Other parts of Isfahan province were also targeted, but no casualties reported as Iranian air defenses intercepted most Israeli attacks, Fars reported.
The IDF releases footage showing the aftermath of its airstrikes on Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility.
A first strike on Ishafan on June 13 destroyed several critical sections, including uranium conversion infrastructure and labs, according to the IDF.
Strikes overnight were… pic.twitter.com/pJ3J5H5FkP — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 21, 2025
Israel had hit the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center in the early days of Operation Rising Lion launched on June 13 and an Israel Defense Forces official said the facility sustained significant damage.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously said four buildings had been damaged at the site but the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said damage was limited.
Israel said it had hit other military targets on Friday, including missile production sites, a site it said was nuclear weapons and military facilities in the west and center of the country.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. local time Saturday, air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran. Interceptions could be seen in the sky over Tel Aviv, Reuters reported.
The Israeli military also said it killed two commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) linked with arming Hamas and other militant groups in the region.
They were Saeed Izadi, who led the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force, the IRGC's overseas arm, and Benham Shariyari, who was accused of transferring weapons to Iranian proxies, according to Israel, although the IRGC has not commented on Israel's claims.
Araghchi said Tehran is "absolutely ready for a negotiated solution for our nuclear program," but the Islamic republic has said it would not hold talks while under threat.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment but rejects any proposal that barred it from enriching uranium completely, "especially now under Israel's strikes."
Upping the diplomatic ante were comments from Trump's former Iran envoy Elliott Abrams. He told Iran International, the U.K.-based news channel, the conflict would end by negotiation and that Tehran would lose its nuclear weapons program, "the question is whether they do it the hard way or the easy way."
However, Adamo, chief negotiator at The Commercialiser, told Newsweek that pressure from Israel and the U.S. had left Tehran with virtually no leverage left at the negotiating table.
If a de-escalation deal were to emerge, it will likely depend on Iran offering full compliance in exchange for a halt in aggression, essentially meaning Tehran would have to surrender its nuclear ambitions, he said.
European powers like the U.K., France, and Germany are still searching for a politically acceptable middle ground, but they're sidelined if Washington and Tel Aviv drive an uncompromising approach, Adamo added.
What People Are Saying
Hananya Naftali, Israeli journalist on X: "Israel DESTROYED the nuclear site in Isfahan, Iran.."
Israel DESTROYED the nuclear site in Isfahan, Iran.
💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/oJBfw1kIN2 — Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) June 21, 2025
Donald Trump's former Iran envoy Elliott Abrams told Iran International: Iran is "going to lose this nuclear weapons program, and the question is whether they do it the hard way or the easy way."
Alex Adamo, founder of negotiation firm The Commercialiser; "Iran is cornered with very few options. With relentless pressure from Israel and the U.S., Iran has virtually no leverage left at the negotiation table. The only diplomatic path being offered is capitulation—halt your nuclear program or face continued strikes."
What Happens Next
Anticipation will continue over whether a diplomatic solution can end hostilities and whether Trump will commit the U.S. to direct involvement.
Adding to speculation is a report by Iran International citing unnamed Israeli security sources, that while Israel hopes the United States will knock out Iran's underground nuclear site Fordow, Israel may try to go it alone within days.