Israeli authorities reported a major escalation in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict as Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli city of Dimona, home to Israel’s main nuclear facility, and the nearby town of Arad on Saturday. Officials said over 100 people were injured, with several buildings destroyed, marking one of the most serious attacks since the conflict began in late February.
At least 88 people were wounded in Arad, including ten in serious condition, while 39 people in Dimona were also injured. “The missile fell on a community building, and nearby older houses collapsed under the impact. Most people were in shelters, so injuries were limited, except for the young boy,” a Dimona resident told reporters.
Iranian Missile Attack Described as Retaliation
Iranian state television called the missile strikes a “response” to an alleged attack earlier in the day on its Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. The strikes are part of a growing tit-for-tat confrontation, which began after US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 killed more than 1,500 people, including over 200 children, according to Iranian reports.
An Israeli military spokesperson said that Israel’s air defense systems were activated during the attacks but failed to intercept some of the missiles. “In both Dimona and Arad, interceptors were launched but did not hit the threats, resulting in two direct hits by ballistic missiles with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms,” the spokesperson said.
Iran’s missile strikes have caused extensive damage to city centers and residential buildings. Witnesses in Dimona said several fires broke out after a three-story building collapsed, and schools in the nearby Ramat Negev region were closed for safety.
No Nuclear Damage Reported
Despite the attacks, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that there was no damage to Israel’s Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona. The agency also reported no abnormal radiation levels and called on all parties to exercise “maximum military restraint, particularly near nuclear facilities.” Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the need to prevent escalation near sensitive nuclear sites.
Israel’s Retaliation Against Iran
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said it had struck a research facility at Tehran’s Malek Ashtar University, claiming it was used to develop nuclear weapons components and ballistic missiles. Iran also reported that the Natanz enrichment complex had been attacked, though it said no radioactive leakage occurred. An unnamed Israeli official denied responsibility for the Natanz strike.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as a “difficult evening for Israel” and reaffirmed Israel’s determination to continue targeting Iranian facilities. “We will not allow the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons,” he said.
Iranian Strategy: Eye-for-Eye Approach
Experts suggest that Iran’s strikes are aimed at demonstrating credible deterrence rather than seeking an immediate ceasefire. Abas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Centre for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, told Al Jazeera, “Tehran wants to reduce the gap between words and actions. Their goal is to make threats credible and establish long-term security, not just force a ceasefire.”
Dimona: A Hub of India-Israel Community Ties
Dimona, known for its nuclear research program since 1958, is also home to a large Indian-Jewish community, mostly from Maharashtra. Around 7,500 Indians, nearly 30 percent of the city’s population, live in Dimona. The community maintains strong cultural ties with India, running shops and celebrating traditional Indian customs. Cricket is popular, and local stores sell snacks such as sonpapdi, gulab jamun, papri chaat, and bhelpuri.
Residents said the Indian community, often called “Little India,” has been actively contributing to the city’s social and cultural life. Despite the missile strikes, many in Dimona have been taking shelter and ensuring the safety of children and elders.
