Israeli forces executed a striking operation against Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility, dismantling uranium conversion infrastructure as part of a comprehensive campaign targeting over 200 sites. The operation resulted in the elimination of nine key scientists and significant damage to the facility, including a metallic uranium production plant, reconversion infrastructure, laboratories, and additional structures.
During the attack, Iranian media released footage showing their air defenses attempting to intercept a fresh wave of Israeli strikes at the site, which is now added to the list of targeted nuclear facilities, including Natanz. The IAEA has confirmed that a nuclear facility in Isfahan was struck by Israel, but its operational status remains unknown.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy’s Iran program, highlighted the importance of Isfahan’s uranium conversion facility in Iran’s quest for fuel cycle mastery. Crippling this capacity could disconnect the dots between Iran’s diverse nuclear industry and potentially hinder future efforts to prepare uranium for enrichment. Direct bombing of a facility storing nuclear fuel represents a substantial blow to Iran’s nuclear program, yet it also poses risks of radioactive spills. Israel reportedly avoided hitting Iran’s supply of near-bomb-grade nuclear fuel at Isfahan, according to the New York Times.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over the attacks, emphasizing that nuclear facilities must never be attacked regardless of context, as it could harm people and the environment. Israel has now targeted over 200 sites in Iran in its effort to eliminate nuclear capabilities, and Iranian media reported that Israel had struck near the northwestern Tabriz refinery, with three missile strikes in locations near western Iran.
The Israeli military stated that initial strikes had taken out nine nuclear scientists, along with top generals in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and dozens of others. Iran’s counter-strikes have killed three Israelis. Experts have long warned that Iran is weeks away from reaching the 90% enrichment level necessary for weapons-grade uranium, and Israeli intelligence sources suggest Iran had moved beyond enrichment into the early production phase of a nuclear weapon. The IAEA has also warned of Iran’s rapid accumulation of highly enriched uranium and expressed concerns about the regime’s opacity in providing details on its use.