Recent reports from The Associated Press reveal damage to two secretive Iranian military bases. Satellite images confirm an Israeli airstrike caused this damage.
Damage at Key Military Locations
The attack affected Iran’s Parchin military base. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspects Iran conducted nuclear weapon tests there. Damage also occurred at the Khojir military base. Analysts believe Khojir contains underground tunnels and missile production facilities. Satellite images show at least two structures damaged at Khojir, located about 20 kilometers from central Tehran.
Iran’s Response
Iran has not confirmed any damage at Khojir or Parchin due to the Israeli attack. However, Iranian officials reported that the strike killed four soldiers working on air defense systems.
Scope of the Attack
It remains unclear how many sites Israeli forces targeted in their operation on Saturday. Iranian authorities identified the affected areas as Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran. Satellite images from Planet Labs show burned fields around Iran’s Tange Bijar natural gas production site in Ilam province. It is unclear if this damage relates to the Israeli attack.
Statements from Leaders
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, advised the public not to exaggerate or downplay the Israeli strike. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks “severely harmed” Iran and achieved all their goals.
Israeli Military’s Justification
The Israeli military stated that they targeted “missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the state of Israel over the last year.” Destroying these sites could disrupt Iran’s ability to produce new ballistic missiles.
IAEA’s Assurance
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, posted on X to reassure everyone. He stated, “Iran’s nuclear facilities have not been impacted.” He emphasized that “inspectors are safe and continue their vital work.” Grossi called for “prudence and restraint from actions that could jeopardise the safety & security of nuclear & other radioactive materials.”