Middle east latest updates iran nuclear facility struck by israel usa world news 20260328 p5zjgz.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 7 months ago

Iran vows to 'exact heavy price' after Israel strikes nuclear sites

Nick Pearson
Nick Pearson

Powered by

Iran has vowed revenge after Israel struck two nuclear sites in the country overnight.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Israel had struck two steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites.

"Israel claims it acted in coordination with the US," he wrote on X.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Iran looking to turn Strait of Hormuz into massive toll booth

The Arak heavy water plant was also attacked by airstrikes last year.

The Arak heavy water plant was also attacked by airstrikes last year. AP

"Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes."

Araghchi said the attacks contradicted US President Donald Trump's claims of an extended deadline for diplomacy.

Israel's Defence Forces announced they had targeted a heavy water plant in central Iran.

They said the plant was a "key plutonium production site for nuclear weapons".

"The IDF will not allow the Iranian regime to continue advancing its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat to Israel and the entire world," the IDF said in a statement.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said there were no casualties or radiation leaks as a result of the attack.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Iranian ally could cause chaos if drawn into the war

Iran has said the Arak facility is for civilian nuclear purposes.

Iran has said the Arak facility is for civilian nuclear purposes. AP

International human rights organisations have condemned attacks on nuclear facilities this week.

Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Melissa Parke said it was "playing roulette with civilian lives".

Advertisement
Advertisement

"Nuclear risks are not theoretical -- they are immediate and human," she said.

"The US, Israel and Iran must stop all military action and return to the diplomatic path."

Before working with ICAN, Parke was a Labor MP representing the WA seat of Fremantle.

ICAN said a direct hit on a nuclear facility would not cause an atomic weapon-like explosion.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Ground invasion of Iranian island a 'mistake', says expert

Israel has touted its airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel has touted its airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Israel Defence Forces

But a release of radiation could have profound long-term impacts on the region.

Overnight Iran attacked targets in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Meanwhile, Iran has agreed to allow humanitarian aid and food through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran is effectively blockading the narrow body of water, preventing shipping from going in or out of the Persian Gulf.

But today's decision would allow agricultural shipments into the region.

READ MORE: Iran could develop nuclear suicide bomb vests, claims JD Vance

Advertisement

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

email icon

Contact us

Share a tip-off, video or photo with us

Most viewed in Middle East

More to explore