Iranian missile strikes' aftermath close to Israel's nuclear plant

 It was the first time Israeli air defense systems in the vicinity of a significant nuclear site had been breached by Iranian missiles.

Not far from Israel's primary nuclear research facility, Iranian rockets attacked two villages in southern Israel, destroying structures and injuring others.

Tehran's primary nuclear enrichment site in Natanz was attacked earlier in the day, which prompted the Iranian strikes late on Saturday. The attack on Natanz, which is located about 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, was rejected by Israel.

Regarding the attack on Natanz, which was also carried out during the first week of the conflict and the 12-day conflict in June, the Pentagon declined to comment. Such strikes presented a "real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East," according to Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hours later, Iran struck back.

The largest city close to the center of Israel's thinly populated Negev desert, Dimona, and Arad, were targeted by missiles that Israel's military said it was unable to stop. In the vicinity of the nuclear site, it was the first time Iranian rockets had breached Israel's air defense systems.

The missile strikes on the southern city of Dimona and neighboring Arad resulted in at least 180 injuries, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health.

Arad is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the nuclear research center, and Dimona is roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) west.

Although its officials won't acknowledge or deny the existence of nuclear weapons, Israel is thought to be the only country in the Middle East with such weapons. The UN nuclear watchdog stated on X that it had not heard of any unusual radiation levels or damage to the Israeli center.