Netanyahu confirms Israeli strike targeted active component of Iran's nuclear program

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran last month targeted an active component of Tehran’s nuclear program, despite previous assurances to the United States and Gulf states that such sites would not be targeted.

The strike, which took place on October 26, was aimed at a facility at the Parchin military base, located southeast of Tehran, and is believed to have involved crucial elements of Iran’s nuclear weapons research, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a speech to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu addressed the reports that had surfaced following the attack, stating, "It’s not a secret. There is a specific component in their nuclear programme that was hit in this attack." Satellite imagery showed the complete demolition of a building at the base, which was identified as the “Taleghan 2” facility. This site had previously been linked to explosive tests on uranium cores, allegedly conducted by Iran.

While it remains unclear whether any nuclear-related equipment was still present at Parchin after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accessed the site in 2011, Israeli officials confirmed that the building was still being used by Iran for its weapons program. Some reports suggest that the facility housed sophisticated equipment used in the development of plastic explosives, which are integral to the detonation mechanisms of nuclear devices.

A former Israeli official described the site as playing a key role in Iran’s efforts to lay the groundwork for nuclear weapon production. A US official further stated that the facility's activities were so secretive that not all officials in Tehran were aware of its existence.

Netanyahu defended the strike, emphasizing its importance in preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions. While he did not disclose the exact component targeted, it has been reported that the strike effectively disabled a critical part of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

This attack follows Israel's retaliatory strike in April, which targeted one of the Russian-supplied S-300 missile defence systems surrounding Tehran. Netanyahu confirmed that the October strike destroyed the remaining three batteries, further solidifying Israel's stance on deterrence in the face of Iranian threats.

In response to Israel’s actions, Tehran has vowed to retaliate. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a "tooth-breaking response" to Israel and the US, signalling an intensification of tensions between the two nations.

By Khagan Isayev