Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Israel would “exact a heavy price” after Israeli airstrikes targeted civilian nuclear facilities, steel plants and energy infrastructure across Iran, in a sharp escalation of tensions in West Asia.The Israeli military confirmed that its air force carried out strikes on the Khondab heavy-water complex near Arak in central Iran. It also reported targeting a uranium processing facility in the central city of Yazd, describing it as a plant used to extract raw materials essential for uranium enrichment. The Israeli Air Force said the site was a unique component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation acknowledged the attacks but said there were no casualties or radiation leaks. The agency stated that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant and the Khondab heavy-water complex were among the sites hit, adding that no radioactive material was released.Iran also reported strikes on two major steel facilities the Khuzestan Steel plant and the Mobarakeh Steel complex in Isfahan.In a post on X, Araghchi said, “Israel has hit two of Iran’s largest steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites among other infrastructure,” adding that Tehran would respond to the attacks.Iran’s military also warned that the United States and Israel were playing with fire by targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, signalling the risk of further retaliation and widening regional tensions.
