Jerusalem, Mar 22 (EFE).- Israel launched strikes against targets in the heart of Tehran on Sunday, hours after Iranian missile attacks on southern Israel left around 120 people injured, including at least 11 in critical condition, in a sharp escalation of the ongoing conflict.
“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently attacking targets of the terrorist regime of Iran in the heart of Tehran,” the Israeli military said on its official Telegram account, without immediately providing details on the results of the operation.
The strikes followed a wave of Iranian missile attacks late Saturday on the southern Israeli towns of Bersheeba, Dimona, and Arad, in an area that includes the country’s main nuclear facility in the Negev desert.
According to Israeli emergency services, about 120 people were injured, many by shrapnel or while rushing to shelters, as air defense systems failed to intercept at least two of the projectiles before impact.
One missile struck Dimona, home to the Negev Nuclear Research Center, injuring dozens, including a seriously wounded 10-year-old child.
Another hit the town of Arad, damaging multiple buildings and sparking fires. Emergency responders reported building collapses and ongoing searches for victims through the night.
Air raid sirens sounded twice across the region, first around 19:00 local time and again later in the evening, shortly before the second impact. Hospitals received dozens of wounded via ambulances and helicopters.
Iran said the missile barrage was carried out in retaliation for attacks on the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, which Tehran attributed to Israel and the United States, though Iranian authorities reported no evidence of radioactive leakage.
Following the strikes, Israel tightened nationwide security measures, suspending educational activities, restricting public gatherings to 50 people and limiting workplace operations to sites with immediate access to protected spaces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for emergency services and reaffirmed the government’s stance. “We are determined to continue attacking our enemies on all fronts,” he said, describing the situation as a difficult phase in the ongoing campaign.
The latest exchange marks a significant intensification in the war involving Israel and the United States against Iran since Feb. 28, with regional actors such as Hezbollah in Lebanon also drawn into the conflict. EFE
cda-mt-pms-sk
