Iran hits Israeli nuclear site in Dimona and F-16 warplane; six killed, 100 injured

A major escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel unfolded on Sunday as Iran launched a large-scale missile attack on Israel’s nuclear installation in Dimona, located in the Negev desert, in response to an earlier strike on its Natanz nuclear facility.

The Iranian attack involved cluster warhead missiles, leaving at least six people dead, more than 100 injured, and around 20 buildings damaged, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

According to the report, Iranian forces targeted at least 10 locations across central Israel. Missile strikes also hit the southern city of Arad, where casualties were reported and several people were injured.

Israeli media said that nearly 30 individuals were wounded in Arad alone, while health authorities stated that approximately 4,292 people have been injured since the conflict intensified.

Following the attacks, Israeli authorities ordered the closure of educational institutions across the country as a precautionary measure. Emergency services were placed on high alert amid fears of further escalation.

Earlier, Israeli forces had carried out airstrikes inside Iran, targeting compounds associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as well as missile production and storage facilities.

Video footage released by the Israeli military showed strikes on ballistic missile sites in western Iran.

Russia condemned the attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, while the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that no unusual radiation levels had been detected and urged restraint.

Amid the ongoing hostilities, Iran claimed to have shot down an Israeli F-16 fighter jet. Israeli officials acknowledged that the aircraft had been targeted by a missile in Iranian airspace but said it was not damaged.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that a new phase of operations had begun, asserting that Iranian missile systems now have increased operational reach and have established dominance over the occupied territories of Israel, as the skies of the territories occupied by Israel are now dominated by Iranian missiles.

Revolutionary Guards said the new strategy and launch system of Iran will surprise the American and Zionist commanders, as tonight the southern part of the Israeli-occupied territories will continue to face Iranian missiles for several hours. They said Iran has entered the battlefield to wreak havoc on the enemy with a more modern system.