https://www.svd.se/a/4B4A2e/israel-ny-attackvag-mot-iran-evakuera
A new wave of Israeli warplanes have attacked Iran overnight – a nuclear facility is said to have been hit. Iran has responded by bombing central Tel Aviv. All just a few hours after Trump opened the door for the US to join the fighting.
Manne Berggren Wiklund
Published06:56
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A warning from Israel went out last night that attacks on an Iranian nuclear facility were expected. This concerns the area at Arak and Khondab where a heavy water research reactor is located. The production can be used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
Explosions were reported in the area near Arak this morning, Iranian state media reported. Explosions have also been heard in several other parts of Iran.
The Israeli military, IDF, wrote at 03:07 Swedish time that "the air force has now launched a new wave of attacks in Tehran and other areas in Iran.
Later at 07:44 the IDF said the attack had ended. Around 40 fighter jets reportedly took part in the night's airstrikes and more than 100 rockets were reportedly fired.
Two of the targets were the nuclear energy facilities in Arak and Natanz, the IDF said. They wrote that both facilities were hit during the attack.
Factories that manufacture defense equipment, air defense systems, storage facilities for missiles and radar facilities were also reportedly attacked during the operation.
Large Iranian missile wave against Israel
At the same time, air raid sirens have also sounded in Israel this morning. A large number of missiles heading towards Israel have reportedly been detected and the country's military says that Israeli defense systems have worked to stop the incoming threats.
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Tel Aviv, Israel.
Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Leo Correa/AP
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Ramat Gan, Israel.
Ramat Gan, Israel. Photo: Oded Balilty / AP
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The hospital building in Be'er Sheva after this morning's attack. Photo: Leo Correa/AP
But there are also reports that several Iranian missiles have penetrated Israeli air defenses.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, a hospital in the city of Be'er Sheva has been hit, among other things. Pictures show how buildings have been damaged by explosions in central Tel Aviv. A residential area south of the city has also been hit and several explosions have been reported in Jerusalem. There have been no reports of injuries yet.
Earlier in the night, a handful of rockets and drones were fired at Israel. Several of them were reportedly shot down, according to the IDF.
In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Katz says that after this morning's attacks, he and Netanyahu instructed the country's military to:
"Intensify attacks on strategic targets in Iran and on government premises in Tehran. With the aim of eliminating the threats that exist against Israel and destabilizing the Ayatollah's regime."
Trump opens door for US attack on Iran
Late last night, Donald Trump reportedly approved a US plan to attack Iran. However, the president has not made the final decision to carry out the attacks, the Wall Street Journal reports , citing sources.
Three close aides to Trump say the president has delayed the decision to see if Iran might agree to voluntarily abandon its nuclear program. The White House has not officially commented on the information.
