Israel Strikes Iran Nuclear Site, Braces for Prolonged War

 Israel Strikes Iran Nuclear Site, Braces for Prolonged War

A hospital in Tehran was busy treating the wounded on Saturday as tensions between Israel and Iran continued to escalate. Israel confirmed that it had carried out a fresh round of targeted strikes, this time hitting a nuclear research facility in Isfahan and killing three high-ranking Iranian military commanders in Qom. The Israeli military said it's now preparing for the likelihood of a long, drawn-out conflict.

Eyewitnesses in Isfahan reported smoke rising near a mountain range after the strike. Akbar Salehi, the province’s deputy governor for security, acknowledged that the facility was damaged but said no one was hurt. The Israeli military said it had targeted two sites used for producing centrifuges, key components in uranium enrichment. This marks the second time Israel has hit Isfahan since the war began.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the attack and noted that there was no nuclear material at the site, so there was no risk of radiation. “We know this facility well,” said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. “There will be no radiological consequences.”

In response, Iran launched another wave of missiles and drones at Israel, but most were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems. One drone did hit a two-story building in northern Israel, but fortunately, there were no injuries. According to an Israeli official, over half of Iran’s missile and drone launchers have now been destroyed.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff, has instructed the army to prepare for a “prolonged campaign,” indicating that this conflict may not end anytime soon.

One site remains out of Israel’s reach: Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow uranium enrichment facility, buried deep underground. Only the U.S. military, with its powerful “bunker-buster” bombs, could potentially destroy it. Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a possible U.S. military role in the war, a move Iran has warned would be extremely dangerous.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Turkiye, said, “I think U.S. involvement would be very, very dangerous for everyone.”

This war, which began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, has already taken a heavy toll. A human rights group based in Washington reports that at least 722 people have died in Iran, including 285 civilians. More than 2,500 have been wounded.

Iran has retaliated with over 450 missiles and 1,000 drones aimed at Israel. So far, 24 people in Israel have died, and hundreds more have been injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military campaign will continue “for as long as it takes” to eliminate what he described as Iran’s existential threat — its nuclear ambitions and missile arsenal.

Peace talks held in Geneva on Friday failed to make progress. While Iran’s foreign minister expressed openness to dialogue, he made it clear that Tehran won’t engage with the U.S. as long as Israeli strikes continue.