Middle East on the Brink: Israel Targets Iran’s Nuclear Plants, Iran Fires Back Brutally
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is becoming more dangerous. In this conflict that began eight days ago, the attacks by both countries have become more fierce. On Thursday night, Israel bombed areas around Iran's major nuclear sites Arak, Natanz and Khandab heavy-water research site.
In response, Iran also retaliated. According to the Israeli army, Iran fired a cluster missile, which contained small bombs and was intended to cause more damage to civilian areas. This is the claim of the first use of cluster munition in this war. According to Israeli news channels, the missile exploded at an altitude of about 7 kilometers above central Israel, spreading about 20 small bombs inside it over an area of 8 kilometers.
The use of cluster bombs is considered controversial internationally, making this attack a serious matter in the conflict. According to the Iranian news agency ISNA, the places attacked are the main centers of Iran's nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Lebanon-based terrorist organization Hezbollah has openly supported Iran. The organization's deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassim challenged Israel and America and said, "Iran's nuclear program is completely peaceful and its purpose is national development." He alleged that the global opposition against Iran is not due to its nuclear program but due to its self-reliance, wisdom and independent policy, which gives strength to the victims.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called an emergency meeting last Friday after the Israeli attacks. Now Iran has demanded another meeting with the support of Russia, China and Pakistan. The UNSC will once again gather on Friday to discuss the issue.
According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, so far 639 people have been killed in Iran in this conflict, including 263 civilians, while more than 1,300 people have been injured. In retaliatory attacks, Iran fired about 400 missiles and hundreds of drones on Israel, killing 24 people and injuring hundreds in Israel. According to AP report, the missiles fell on a medical building and residential areas in Israel, causing massive destruction.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei claimed that sensitive materials from major nuclear sites like Natanz, Isfahan, Khandab and Arak were moved to safe locations before the attacks. He warned, "A ceasefire means giving the enemy a chance to gather strength, which we do not accept." Rezaei also said that so far Iran has used only 30% of its military strength and the war is being gradually intensified.
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