Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The conflict between Israel and Iran has dramatically intensified, with Israel launching a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, including a direct hit on a centrifuge workshop at the Isfahan nuclear facility. The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the strike, stating that while no nuclear material was present and no radiological release occurred, repeated attacks have “sharply degraded” nuclear safety and security across Iran. This marks the third Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear-related facilities since hostilities erupted on June 13, following earlier strikes on the Tehran Research Centre and a workshop in Karaj.
BBC Verify and satellite imagery from Maxar have revealed extensive new damage at the Isfahan site, with at least seven structures flattened. The Israeli military claims it targeted centrifuge production facilities essential to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned the UN Security Council that further attacks could lead to a catastrophic radiological incident.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities confirmed the death of a tenth nuclear scientist, Isar Tabatabei Ghomsheh, bringing the total number of Iranian nuclear experts killed in Israeli operations to ten. Iranian media reports say the deaths were part of a broader Israeli campaign, codenamed “Operation Narnia,” which aimed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The humanitarian toll continues to rise. Iran’s health ministry announced over 400 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the last nine days, mostly civilians. Among the dead are women, children, and healthcare workers. Internet blackouts persist in parts of Iran, isolating millions amid the crisis.
In a dramatic diplomatic warning, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—speaking during a visit to Istanbul—said any U.S. involvement in the conflict would be “very, very dangerous for everyone.” He cautioned that American military support for Israel could plunge the entire region into deeper chaos. “This war must stop before any negotiations can begin,” Araghchi added, signaling Iran’s conditional openness to renewed diplomacy.
On the Israeli side, the IDF confirmed the assassinations of senior Iranian commanders Saaed Izadi and Behnam Shahriyari. Eight Iranian drones entered Israeli airspace in a single morning, underscoring the growing scale of the confrontation. Israel says its strikes aim to cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions and prevent further threats from Iranian-backed groups, but analysts warn that the longer the war continues, the greater the risk of full-scale regional escalation.
Public opinion in Israel appears to support the military campaign. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute shows 82% of Jewish Israelis back the strikes, while among Arab Israelis, only 11% are in favor.
As the conflict enters its second week, the world watches anxiously. With nuclear sites under attack, key scientists dead, and both sides vowing further retaliation, global leaders are under mounting pressure to intervene diplomatically before the situation spirals out of control.
