Israel’s airstrikes devastate Iran’s nuclear facilities like Natanz and Arak, intensifying the Iran-Israel war. Get the latest at TheInterviewTimes.com.
JERUSALEM — Israel’s relentless airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities since June 13, 2025, have crippled key sites and ignited a fierce Iranian counterattack, pushing the Middle East toward a potential regional war. Dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” Israel’s campaign has targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities like Natanz and Arak, killing scientists and commanders while raising global alarm over nuclear risks. TheInterviewTimes.com breaks down the latest developments in this high-stakes clash.
Key Nuclear Sites Under Fire
Iran’s nuclear facilities form the backbone of its controversial nuclear program, long suspected of pursuing weapons capabilities. Israel’s strikes have hit several critical sites:
Natanz, Iran’s primary uranium enrichment hub in Isfahan province, took a severe blow on June 13. Israeli jets destroyed above-ground buildings and damaged underground centrifuge halls, knocking out thousands of centrifuges. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported crippled power systems, potentially stalling enrichment for months. Natanz’s ability to produce 60%-enriched uranium makes it a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab, hit on June 19, is another focal point. Iran insists it’s for research, but Israel claims it could yield plutonium for bombs. The IAEA noted no radiation leaks but flagged chemical contamination risks from the damaged reactor, a key part of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Isfahan’s Nuclear Technology Center, vital for uranium conversion, saw four buildings, including its conversion plant, heavily damaged on June 13. The strikes disrupted Iran’s nuclear fuel supply chain. Meanwhile, Fordow, a fortified enrichment site buried under a mountain, remains unscathed as of June 18, per the IAEA. Its capacity for near-weapons-grade uranium keeps it a top concern.
Centrifuge workshops in Tehran and Karaj were also targeted, aiming to hamstring Iran’s ability to rebuild Iran’s nuclear facilities. The strikes reflect Israel’s goal to set back Iran’s nuclear progress significantly.
Devastating Impact of Israel’s Campaign
Israel’s operation, involving over 60 fighter jets and hundreds of munitions, has struck over 100 targets, killing at least 14 nuclear scientists and several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. The assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities has left Natanz in disarray, with thousands of centrifuges likely destroyed. The IAEA reports no off-site radiation risks, but uranium dust at Natanz poses health hazards for workers, requiring protective measures.
Experts, including David Albright from the Institute for Science and International Security, warn that Fordow’s survival and Iran’s 60%-enriched uranium stockpile could allow Tehran to produce weapons-grade material for multiple bombs within weeks, should it choose to. U.S. intelligence, however, says Iran hasn’t yet committed to weaponization.
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Iran’s Fierce Retaliation
Iran has hit back hard, launching missile and drone barrages on Israeli cities. A June 19 strike on Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center injured over 240, mostly with minor wounds, while a June 20 attack damaged homes and a technology park in the same city. The IRGC, using long-range Sejjil missiles, claims it targeted Israeli military sites, vowing “unrelenting” strikes in response to attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “severe consequences” if the U.S., now considering military involvement, joins Israel.
The human toll is mounting. Iranian strikes have killed 24 in Israel and injured nearly 600, while Israel’s attacks have claimed 224 lives in Iran, including 12 in Tehran’s Tajrish Square on June 15. Both sides have issued evacuation warnings, with Israel targeting areas near Iranian military sites and Iran ordering evacuations near Israel’s Channel 14 news station.
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Global Tensions and Risks
The attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities have sparked international concern. U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing deploying B-2 bombers to hit Fordow, a move that could prompt Iran to exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Russia condemned Israel’s strikes, citing dangers to its personnel at Iran’s Bushehr plant, while European diplomats in Geneva on June 20, 2025, push for a ceasefire with limited success. Iran’s threat to curb IAEA access or quit the NPT could unravel global non-proliferation efforts.
Environmental risks are also significant. The IAEA warns that continued strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities could trigger a radiological incident, particularly at Natanz or Arak. Chemical contamination from damaged reactors threatens nearby communities. Iran’s disrupted nuclear supply chain may push it to seek foreign uranium, raising fears of illicit procurement.
What’s Next for the Region?
Israel’s strikes have dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s nuclear facilities, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “historic setback.” Yet Fordow’s resilience and Iran’s missile arsenal keep the conflict volatile. As the U.S. deliberates and diplomacy falters, the risk of a wider war grows. Iran’s nuclear expertise ensures that Iran’s nuclear facilities remain a long-term threat, even if damaged.