June 13, 2025 — Tel Aviv / Tehran / Washington
In a dramatic escalation of military tensions, Israel has launched preemptive strikes aimed at the heart of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, with reports indicating that multiple high-value sites may have been targeted in the opening phase of the operation.
According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a strategic map of Iran’s nuclear landscape highlights key locations believed to be in the crosshairs of the Israeli offensive.
Among the most critical sites identified:
- Tehran – Home to various nuclear research and development centers, and believed to host elements of Iran’s potential nuclear weapons program headquarters.
- Natanz – One of Iran’s primary uranium enrichment facilities, featuring deep underground bunkers designed to protect centrifuge operations from aerial attacks.
- Fordow – Another deeply buried enrichment site, built into a mountain and fortified against precision bombing.
- Esfahan – Hosts a nuclear technology center and conversion facilities that play a vital role in Iran’s fuel production cycle.
- Arak – Location of a heavy water reactor, which could be used to produce plutonium for weapons if fully operational.
- Bushehr – Site of Iran’s civilian nuclear power plant, which has long been under international scrutiny despite being under IAEA safeguards.
- Parchin – A highly secretive military complex, suspected of past nuclear weaponization testing and possibly housing active research.
Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed which specific targets were hit, but military sources suggest the operation aims to disable Iran’s nuclear breakout capabilities before they reach an irreversible threshold.
The IDF described the strikes as “precise and preventive”, characterizing the mission as a national security imperative to stop Iran from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
Iran’s military has vowed a “devastating” response, with the armed forces placed on high alert and reports of missile mobilizations in multiple regions. Civilian casualties have been reported, further complicating the international response.
Global leaders have urged immediate de-escalation as fears grow of a wider regional war. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session within hours.
This is a developing story. More details to follow as satellite imagery and official confirmations emerge.