Iran launched missile attacks targeting the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad early Saturday, injuring more than 100 people in what marks one of the most significant escalations since the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Israeli rescue services report that over 100 individuals have been wounded in the strikes, which Israeli authorities described as a retaliation for an earlier attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. Iranian state television characterized Saturday’s strikes as a “response” to that incident, signaling a sharp escalation in tit-for-tat actions in the ongoing conflict now entering its fourth week.
Casualties and Damage
In Arad, at least 88 people were injured, including 10 in critical condition, with extensive damage reported across the city center. In Dimona, 39 people were wounded, among them a 10-year-old boy in critical condition with multiple shrapnel wounds after several residential buildings were destroyed. Emergency crews described the situation as dire, with fires breaking out amid the destruction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attacks a “difficult” night for the country and vowed to continue targeting Iran. Since February 28, US-Israeli military operations have reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 Iranians, including over 200 children, according to Iranian state media.
Defense and International Response
Israel’s air defense systems were activated during the strikes but failed to intercept some missiles, which firefighters confirmed resulted in two direct hits by ballistic missiles carrying hundreds of kilograms of warheads. Despite the damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no indications of damage to the Dimona nuclear research center and confirmed that radiation levels remained normal.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for “maximum military restraint,” emphasizing the importance of protecting nuclear facilities amid rising tensions. Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah, described scenes of destruction in Dimona, including a collapsed three-story building and multiple fires, with footage showing a missile strike followed by a large explosion.
Israeli Strikes in Iran
Earlier Saturday, Israel announced it had targeted a research and development facility at Tehran’s Malek Ashtar University, accusing it of developing components for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Israel’s military stated it would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear arms.
Iran responded by blaming the US and Israel for the attack on Natanz, though Tehran reported no radioactive leakage. An Israeli official, speaking to the Associated Press, denied Israel’s involvement in the Natanz strike, though the Israeli military has yet to release an official statement.
Background and Context
Dimona, home to Israel’s clandestine nuclear program since 1958, has long been a focal point of Israel’s nuclear policy, which remains officially ambiguous. Israel is believed to have developed nuclear weapons by the late 1960s but maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity to avoid regional escalation.
Analysts suggest Iran’s recent actions reflect an “eye-for-an-eye” strategy aimed at re-establishing deterrence. Abas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Centre for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, told Al Jazeera that Iran seeks to bridge the gap between threats and actions to bolster its security stance, aiming for long-term deterrence rather than just a temporary ceasefire.
