Iran retaliates with missile barrage after Israel strikes Arak nuclear facility

Israel’s overnight attacks targeted the Arak nuclear facility, prompting a severe retaliatory response from Iran. Missiles fired at Tel Aviv and Beersheba were aimed at the Israeli army’s command and intelligence headquarters. Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered an escalation of attacks against Iran.

The week-long escalating tension between Israel and Iran reached a new level on Thursday morning with mutual attacks. The Israeli army announced it had conducted airstrikes on several targets in Iran, including the Arak nuclear facility. In retaliation, Iran launched nearly 30 missiles at various regions, primarily targeting Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba.

The Israeli army confirmed it had attacked Iran’s Arak Heavy Water Nuclear Facility (Shahid Khandab Research Reactor) last night. Military officials claimed the facility housed equipment that could accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

However, a written statement from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran’s Information Center stated, “There were no casualties or injuries in the attack. Thanks to pre-emptive security measures, there is no risk or harm to the public in the area surrounding the facility.” Iranian state television also reported that there was no nuclear leakage at the site.

Retaliation at first light

Iran’s retaliation for these attacks came in the morning. More than 20 missiles fired from Iran directly hit several locations around the capital, Tel Aviv, and in the southern Negev region.

Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that air defense systems were attempting to intercept the missiles launched from Iran. The report noted that over 20 missiles were fired, striking at least four locations in the country’s central and southern regions.

In the central region, missiles reportedly struck buildings directly in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon. In the south, a missile aimed at Beersheba was alleged to have hit Soroka Hospital.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service stated that they received reports of direct hits during the attacks around 7:10 AM and had dispatched teams to the areas. A written statement from Magen David Adom reported that 65 people were injured in Iran’s morning retaliatory missile strike, with three in serious condition. The statement added that two others were moderately injured, while the rest sustained injuries from shrapnel, the blast’s impact, or while running to shelters.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army estimated that Iran had fired around 30 missiles in its morning retaliation.

A statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged that Iranian missiles had struck Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba. It is known that Israeli soldiers wounded in Gaza are treated at Soroka Hospital.

According to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s retaliatory attack this morning targeted the Israeli army’s command and intelligence headquarters. The report claimed that Israeli media was attempting to portray the location as a “hospital,” but the actual targets were the Israel Defense Forces’ command and intelligence (IDF C4I) headquarters next to the hospital and an army intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam Technology Park. The report also stated that the targeted structures housed thousands of military personnel, digital command systems, and cyber operations systems belonging to the Israeli army.

Furthermore, according to Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen, Soroka Hospital, located between two military bases, was evacuated following the attack due to a suspected hazardous material leak.

Netanyahu orders an ‘increase in attacks’

Following Iran’s morning retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli army to intensify its attacks on Iran. In a written statement, Netanyahu threatened that Iranian officials would “pay a price.”

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz also asserted on his social media account that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would “pay the price” for the morning’s retaliation.

In his first televised address since Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defied President Trump’s call for Iran’s surrender. “Any US military intervention will cause absolutely irreversible damage,” he said, adding, “The Iranian people will not surrender.”

While Iran’s retaliation was underway, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, visited a missile base belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force. “We will continue our attacks relentlessly against all types of targets belonging to the Zionist occupying regime. We see no obstacles before us,” Mousavi declared.