Israel hits Iranian nuclear research facility as war continues into second week
Early on Saturday, smoke could be seen rising from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where a local official said Israel had attacked the nuclear research facility in two waves.
The target was two centrifuge production sites, and the attacks came on top of strikes on other centrifuge production sites elsewhere in recent days, according to an Israeli military official speaking on condition of anonymity under army guidelines to brief reporters.
It was the second attack on Isfahan, which was hit in the first 24 hours of the war as part of Israel's goal to destroy the Iranian nuclear programme.
Benjamin Netanyahu visits the site of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by missiles fired from Iran (Jack Guez/Pool Photo via AP)
Akbar Salehi, Isfahan province's deputy governor for security affairs, confirmed the Israeli strikes had caused damage to the facility, but said there had been no human casualties.
Iran launched a new wave of drones and missiles at Israel but there were no immediate reports of significant damage, and the Israeli official called it a 'small barrage' that was largely intercepted by Israel's defences.
The official said part of the reason that Iran's overnight attack had been relatively small was that the military had been targeting its launchers, and estimates it has now taken out more than 50% of them.
'We've been able to take out a large amount of their launchers, creating a bottleneck — we're making it harder for them to fire toward Israel,' he said.
'Having said all that, I want to say the Iranian regime obviously still has capabilities.'
Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said on Saturday an Iranian drone hit a two-story building in northern Israel, but there were no casualties.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
32 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
PM urges Britons to contact Foreign Office for Israel evacuation flights
The Prime Minister has urged British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to make contact with the Foreign Office as it prepares for an evacuation flight early next week. It comes after the US attacked three nuclear sites in Iran overnight and Tehran then launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel. Speaking to Sky News, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'I urge all citizens to make contact with the Foreign Office so that we can facilitate whatever support is needed.' He added that the Government will help evacuate British citizens on charter flights 'as soon as we can'. Sir Keir said: 'Well for British citizens, we've been saying for some time to register their presence. 'And so far as Israel is concerned, just as soon as we can get charter flights off, we will do so.' The UK is preparing a flight to transport vulnerable British nationals and their dependants out of Israel and the OPTs early next week. British nationals in Israel and the OPTs should register their presence to receive the latest updates and register their interest in the… — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 22, 2025 The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has continued to urge British nationals to register their details and interest in evacuation flights, the first of which it said will take off early next week. It said further flights 'will be considered depending on demand and the latest security situation'. According to the Israeli Government, some 22,000 tourists are seeking to board evacuation flights. It is unclear how many of these are UK citizens. British nationals who have already registered will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal, the FCDO said. Those eligible for the flight will be expected to pay for their seat – and payment will be taken on registration on the flight booking form. The FCDO added that those with 'greatest need' will be prioritised, and British nationals plus their non-British immediate family members travelling with them are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document, and those non-British immediate family members will require valid visas/permission to enter or remain that was granted for more than six months, the FCDO said. The UK has been working on charter flights for Britons in Israel but none have so far taken off as the country's airspace has been closed. Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds told Sky News on Sunday morning: 'We are in active conversations about chartering aircraft to get people out.' Asked if that will happen imminently, Mr Reynolds said: 'I believe our intention would be to do that as soon as possible… hours, not days.' Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel told Times Radio the UK 'must not be behind the curve' in evacuating its nationals. 'The Government's got to start moving fast now in terms of British nationals in Israel,' Dame Priti said. 'They've been talking about this for days… Israeli airspace is shut down. 'The Americans are ready to evacuate 25,000 US nationals — we must not be behind the curve.' The FCDO has warned British nationals not to make their way to the airport unless they are contacted. Register your presence: — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 22, 2025 A spokesperson said: 'This is a perilous and volatile moment for the Middle East. 'The safety of British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost priority – that's why the UK Government is preparing flights to help those wanting to leave. 'Working closely with the Israeli authorities, our staff are continuing to work at pace to assist British nationals on the ground and ensure they receive the support they need.' Commercial flights remain in operation from Egypt and Jordan to the UK, and international land border crossings to these countries remain open. The FCDO said the situation 'remains volatile' and the Government's ability to run flights out of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories 'could change at short notice'.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Iran update as it declares it has struck back against US bombing action
Iran update as it declares it has struck back against US bombing action The nation has been bombed by American B-2 stealth bombers that US President Donald Trump said had 'obliterated' their targets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in January 2025 (Photo) (Image: Getty/ 2025 Contributor#8523328 ) Iran has announced it has retaliated against US military strikes on three of its nuclear facilities. The eyes of the world had been waiting to see how Iran might respond after the bombings by B-2 stealth bombers. Nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan were targeted by the Trump administration overnight. The US President said the sites had been completely 'obliterated' - although subsequent US statements have not gone this far. There has been intense speculation Iran might target US military sites in the Middle East or take other measures such as shutting off the vital shipping route the Strait of Hormuz. Reports from Reuters and elswhere this afternoon suggest action in the strait remains under discussion. But as USA warned Iran of the risks of retaliating, Iran announced that it had actually already responded. The Financial Times reports that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said 'powerful strikes' on Israel on Sunday morning were actually retaliation for the US activity. 'The attacks were in fact a response to the US aggressive policies, because the Zionist regime basically lacks the capacity and courage to stage attacks on the Islamic republic by itself,' Pezeshkian said at a cabinet meeting. 'The US attacks on our nuclear installations clearly showed that it was the main driver behind the Zionist regime's hostile actions against the Islamic republic." An Iranian strike hit a residential neighbourhood in Tel Aviv on Sunday morning. At least 16 people were reportedly injured. Article continues below Israel announced on Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. What has US military said about the US strikes on Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan? In new media briefings within the last hour, America said it 'does not seek war' with Iran. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth made the claim in the aftermath of the US attack. The mission, called Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, Mr Hegseth and US Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference on Sunday. Article continues below Mr Hegseth said it is important to note the US strikes did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people. The words might be seen as a veiled effort to indicate to Tehran they do not want retaliation on American targets in the region. 'This mission was not and has not been about regime change,' Mr Hegseth added. Mr Caine said the aim of the operation – destroying nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan – had been achieved. US President Donald Trump earlier claimed the facilities had been 'completely and fully obliterated'. 'Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,' Mr Caine said.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
PM urges Britons to contact Foreign Office for Israel evacuation flights
Speaking to Sky News, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'I urge all citizens to make contact with the Foreign Office so that we can facilitate whatever support is needed.' He added that the Government will help evacuate British citizens on charter flights 'as soon as we can'. Sir Keir said: 'Well for British citizens, we've been saying for some time to register their presence. 'And so far as Israel is concerned, just as soon as we can get charter flights off, we will do so.' The UK is preparing a flight to transport vulnerable British nationals and their dependants out of Israel and the OPTs early next week. British nationals in Israel and the OPTs should register their presence to receive the latest updates and register their interest in the… — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 22, 2025 The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has continued to urge British nationals to register their details and interest in evacuation flights, the first of which it said will take off early next week. It said further flights 'will be considered depending on demand and the latest security situation'. According to the Israeli Government, some 22,000 tourists are seeking to board evacuation flights. It is unclear how many of these are UK citizens. British nationals who have already registered will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal, the FCDO said. Those eligible for the flight will be expected to pay for their seat – and payment will be taken on registration on the flight booking form. The FCDO added that those with 'greatest need' will be prioritised, and British nationals plus their non-British immediate family members travelling with them are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document, and those non-British immediate family members will require valid visas/permission to enter or remain that was granted for more than six months, the FCDO said. The UK has been working on charter flights for Britons in Israel but none have so far taken off as the country's airspace has been closed. Jonathan Reynolds said the Government is 'in active conversation' about chartering aircraft to get people out of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds told Sky News on Sunday morning: 'We are in active conversations about chartering aircraft to get people out.' Asked if that will happen imminently, Mr Reynolds said: 'I believe our intention would be to do that as soon as possible… hours, not days.' Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel told Times Radio the UK 'must not be behind the curve' in evacuating its nationals. 'The Government's got to start moving fast now in terms of British nationals in Israel,' Dame Priti said. 'They've been talking about this for days… Israeli airspace is shut down. 'The Americans are ready to evacuate 25,000 US nationals — we must not be behind the curve.' The FCDO has warned British nationals not to make their way to the airport unless they are contacted. Register your presence: — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 22, 2025 A spokesperson said: 'This is a perilous and volatile moment for the Middle East. 'The safety of British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost priority – that's why the UK Government is preparing flights to help those wanting to leave. 'Working closely with the Israeli authorities, our staff are continuing to work at pace to assist British nationals on the ground and ensure they receive the support they need.' Commercial flights remain in operation from Egypt and Jordan to the UK, and international land border crossings to these countries remain open. The FCDO said the situation 'remains volatile' and the Government's ability to run flights out of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories 'could change at short notice'. The portal to register presence in Israel as a Briton is available at:
