Iran
Iran’s progress was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency – the United Nation’s atomic watchdog. (Photo: Reuters / Lisi Niesner)

Satellite imagery has unveiled significant damage to two secretive Iranian military bases following Israeli airstrikes early Saturday, according to analysts. The attacks targeted facilities linked to Iran's ballistic missile program and a site previously associated with Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons development.

The images, analyzed by experts including David Albright, a former United Nations weapons inspector and head of the Institute for Science and International Security, show destruction at the Parchin military base and the nearby Khojir missile production complex, both located southeast of Tehran. "Israel struck buildings in Parchin called Taleghan 2 that were used for testing activities during the Amad Plan, Iran's defunct nuclear weapons development program," Albright told Reuters.

Parchin has long been under international scrutiny. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspects that Iran conducted tests of high explosives there that could be used to trigger a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at the Virginia-based think tank CNA, corroborated the findings, noting that the strikes may have "significantly hampered Iran's ability to mass-produce missiles." He added that satellite images from Planet Labs showed destruction of facilities used to mix solid fuel for ballistic missiles. "These industrial mixers are hard to make and export-controlled. Iran imported many over the years at great expense, and will likely have a hard time replacing them," Eveleth said.

 

The Israeli military declined to comment on the specific targets but stated that the strikes were in retaliation for Iran's October 1 missile barrage against Israel. "We targeted missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the State of Israel over the last year," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

Iran's military acknowledged the attacks but downplayed their impact. The Iranian army reported that four soldiers were killed and claimed the strikes targeted border radar systems in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. "Damage was limited," the military said, asserting that their defense forces "successfully intercepted" some of the incoming projectiles.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei commented on the situation without explicitly calling for retaliation. "Israel's attack should not be exaggerated nor downplayed," Khamenei said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. "We should make them understand all these."

The strikes have heightened tensions between the two regional adversaries. Israel and Iran have been engaged in a shadow conflict for decades, often involving covert operations and proxy forces. Recent months have seen an escalation, with Iran allegedly supplying missiles to its allies and Israel conducting targeted assassinations of key figures in Iran-backed groups.

U.S. officials stated that Israel had notified them before the attack. President Joe Biden expressed hope that this would mark the end of direct fire between Israel and Iran. "We do not seek a wider war in the Middle East," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in July, emphasizing that such a conflict would have no winners.

International reaction has been mixed. Jordan called the strikes a "dangerous escalation" that "threatens the stability of the region," while Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemned them as a "flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty." Iraq accused Israel of continuing its "aggressive policies."

"The strikes appear to be highly accurate," Eveleth noted, suggesting that Israel aimed to minimize collateral damage while delivering a strategic blow to Iran's missile capabilities. Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program, told NBC News, "By them being dismissive about the damage, it gives them space to say, 'That's done, scores are settled.'"

As both nations assess the aftermath, the international community watches closely. Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the IAEA, confirmed that Iran's nuclear facilities were not impacted. "Inspectors are safe and continue their vital work," he stated, calling for "prudence and restraint from actions that could jeopardize the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive materials."

The potential for further escalation remains, but some experts believe that the limited scope of the strikes could pave the way for de-escalation. Michael Milshtein of Tel Aviv University remarked, "It seems right now, at least, they have more reason not to respond in a very tough manner."