Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, targeting the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant, a major site in Tehran’s nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strike occurred on Thursday night, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The attack, described as targeting the ‘heart’ of Iran’s nuclear enrichment and weaponization efforts, follows weeks of heightened military posturing and intelligence exchanges. Netanyahu stated that Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs and is rapidly moving toward nuclear weaponization. He warned that if left unchecked, Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within a short time, posing a grave threat to global security. The strike comes amid growing concerns about Iran’s expanding nuclear capabilities, with experts indicating that the Natanz facility, when combined with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could potentially produce enough weapons-grade uranium for 11 nuclear weapons within a month. Hours after the attack, officials reported that Iran launched approximately 10 and 100 drones toward Israeli territory, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were attempting to intercept. The extent of the damage at Natanz, which was partially destroyed in 2020 following an explosion, remains unclear, though Israel’s strikes reportedly targeted nuclear scientists working on Iran’s weapons program. The Israeli government has also indicated that the Parchin military complex, known for its nuclear weapons research, was hit in the strikes. However, the full scope of the damage and the potential impact on Iran’s nuclear capabilities remain under investigation.