In a dramatic escalation in West Asia, Iranian state television has reported that Israel has struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. The report confirms that the site was targeted as part of Israel’s ongoing “Rising Lion” military operation, which is being carried out in response to what Israel considers continued Iranian aggression. Despite the intensity of the strike, Iranian authorities have stated that there is no evidence of nuclear contamination at the site.
The attack occurred near the city of Natanz, located in Iran's central Isfahan province, a region that houses one of the country’s most critical nuclear installations. Loud explosions were reportedly heard in the city, and while assessments are ongoing, Iran has stated that there are no indications of radioactive leaks. This comes at a time when tensions between the two countries have reached an unprecedented level.
Iranian state TV also confirmed that Major General Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed during the Israeli strikes. Fire and heavy smoke were seen at the IRGC’s general command headquarters on Ferozi Street in eastern Tehran, indicating the extent of damage from the Israeli assault. Visuals from Tehran further show destruction in residential neighborhoods, with several civilian casualties, including children. The exact toll is yet to be confirmed.
Amid the chaos, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri is reportedly alive and has been seen operating from the war room. The Israeli operation appears to be both strategic and symbolic, aiming at key military and nuclear leadership points. The situation has triggered a chain of emergency responses across both nations.
Iranian media has now reported that the country is preparing to formally declare war on Israel. In anticipation of a retaliatory wave of missiles and drone strikes from Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have urged all Israeli citizens to immediately take shelter. Schools have been ordered shut across the country, and Israeli airspace has been closed as part of a nationwide emergency protocol.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will continue its operations against Iran for “as long as it may be required.” He reaffirmed that there will be no withdrawal until the military objectives are achieved. Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump is said to be conducting a high-level security meeting to monitor developments, although no official details from that meeting have yet been released.
This attack comes even as nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran were ongoing, though largely unproductive. With Iran's leadership suffering critical losses and the threat of direct war looming, the region now stands at a dangerous inflection point. The next few hours and days will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can pull the region back from the brink, or if a broader war is now inevitable.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on developing reports from Iranian state television and other publicly available sources. The situation remains highly fluid, and details may change as new information emerges. Readers are advised to follow verified official channels for the latest updates and security advisories.
