On Monday, Israel targeted Iran’s fortified Fordow nuclear site, located deep within a mountain south of Tehran, according to Iranian state media. Tel Aviv confirmed that it had struck the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command center, Evin Prison, and had intensified its attacks on the Iranian capital—marking the 11th day of the ongoing war.
اضافة اعلان
This followed American strikes a day earlier, which targeted the Fordow facility along with two other nuclear sites. Iran warned that the consequences of these attacks would be “severe.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the Israeli military is striking targets belonging to the regime in the center of Tehran with “unprecedented force.”
“The military is delivering powerful strikes against regime targets and oppressive government agencies in the heart of Tehran,” Gallant said.
He noted that targets included Evin Prison and IRGC internal security headquarters.
Israeli military spokesperson Efi Dvirin said in a televised statement that Israeli aircraft were intensifying strikes around Tehran, particularly targeting the IRGC’s command headquarters. The military also reported attacks on military sites in Kermanshah in western Iran and other strategic targets in Tehran, where loud explosions were heard.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency confirmed that the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, located about 90 meters underground and 180 kilometers south of Tehran, had been targeted again. The spokesperson for Qom province's Emergency Management Agency described the attack as a renewed assault on the Fordow site.
President Donald Trump had announced on Sunday that American rocket bombers struck three major Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz—ten days after Israel launched its military campaign.
In response, Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari on Monday warned of “severe consequences.”
“This aggressive act expands the range of legitimate targets for Iran’s armed forces and paves the way for broader conflict in the region,” he said in a televised address, vowing that "the fighters of Islam will bring devastating and targeted retaliation beyond expectations."
Iran’s Red Crescent reported that an Israeli airstrike hit near one of its buildings in northern Tehran, sharing a video on Telegram showing smoke rising from the site.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel following a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles—at least the third within two hours. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, where the army urged residents to seek shelter.
Damage Assessment and Diplomatic Response
On the diplomatic front, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Araghchi had previously stated that the U.S. and Israel had “crossed a major red line.”
Several Arab nations condemned the U.S. strikes, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Trump, describing the bold attack on Iran’s nuclear sites as a “historic turning point” for peace in the Middle East.
Trump confirmed Sunday that all targeted nuclear sites had suffered “massive damage”, as shown by satellite images, and stated that “destruction is the accurate term.”
However, U.S. and Israeli officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage, with experts suggesting that nuclear materials may have been relocated before the strikes.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi stressed that it is currently impossible to assess the damage accurately and called for access to Iranian nuclear facilities to inspect enriched uranium stockpiles—especially those enriched to 60%, close to weapons-grade.
Grossi said Tehran had informed the agency on June 13 that it had taken “special measures” to protect equipment and nuclear materials.
Supreme Leader advisor Ali Shamkhani stated on X that Iran still possesses significant enriched uranium stockpiles.
Satellite analysis by Planet Labs PBC showed that the terrain near Fordow had been impacted by the strikes, and the mountain’s coloration had changed post-attack.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was limited to 3.67% enrichment; today, it enriches uranium up to 60%. Weapons-grade enrichment requires 90%.
Escalating War and Civilian Toll
Israel launched its campaign on June 13, claiming the aim is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Since then, hundreds of military and nuclear-related sites have been struck, and several military leaders and nuclear scientists killed. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.
Iran has responded with a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems, though some struck targets, causing significant destruction.
So far, the conflict has resulted in over 400 deaths and 3,056 injuries in Iran, mostly civilians, according to official figures. Iran’s missile strikes have killed 25 people in Israel, according to Israeli authorities.
Talk of Regime Change?
Late Sunday on Truth Social, Trump hinted at possible regime change in Iran, despite his administration’s insistence that the strikes weren’t aimed at overthrowing the government:
“It may not be politically correct to say ‘regime change,’ but if the current Iranian regime can’t make Iran great again, then why not a change?”
Ali Akbar Velayati, another advisor to the Supreme Leader, declared that the U.S. has no place left in the Middle East, warning that the bases used to launch U.S. strikes will be considered legitimate targets.
Global Concerns and Hormuz Warning
Amid fears of retaliation, the U.S. urged its citizens worldwide to remain on high alert.
Analysts fear Iran may retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil supply passes—most destined for Asian markets.
China called on the international community to prevent the Iran-Israel conflict from disrupting the global economy, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Strait.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Beijing to help deter Iran from closing the waterway.
China also appealed to “all parties to avoid repeated escalation and to firmly pursue a political solution to the crisis.”
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas warned that closing the Strait would be “extremely dangerous,” reiterating the EU’s call for de-escalation and diplomatic resolution.
