Netanyahu Confirms Israel’s Strike Hit 'Specific Component' Of Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Beirut: Tensions in Middle East continue as war between West Asian nations rages on; in a latest update, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed an airstrike targeting a ‘specific component’ of Iran's nuclear programme, giving this war a ‘nuclear turn'. 

Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Strikes Targeting Iran's Nuclear Programme

On Monday, Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed that amid ongoing Israel-Iran War, an air attack by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) hit an ‘element’ of nuclear programme of Tehran and thus degred its defence and missile production capabilities. 

‘It Is Not a Secret’: Benjamin Netanyahu

In his parliament speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “It's not a secret. re is a specific component in ir nuclear programme that was hit in this attack.”

component has not been identified by Israeli Prime Minister but it has been said that despite attack, Iran's path to a nuclear weapon has not been blocked.

Netanyahu, in his speech, offered a few more details on what Israel h targeted. Israel's April strike, he said, was narrower, taking out one of four Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defence batteries around Tehran, Iranian capital.

He said that in October, Israel destroyed remaining three batteries and caused serious damage to Iran's ballistic missile production capabilities and its ability to produce solid fuel, which is used in long-range ballistic missiles.

5 Killed, 24 Injured in Fresh Israeli Strike on Lebanon

In anor related news, an Israeli airstrike slammed into a densely populated residential area in Lebanon's capital near key government and diplomatic buildings late on Monday, killing at least five people as US pressed ahe with cease-fire efforts.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said two missiles hit area of Zoqaq al-Blat neighbourhood -- where local UN hequarters and Lebanon's parliament and prime minister's office are located.

Israeli military h no immediate comment on strike, which also wounded 24 people, according to Lebanese Health Ministry.

Many areas in central Beirut, including Zoqaq al-Blat, have become a refuge for many of roughly one million people displaced by ongoing conflict in sourn Lebanon and sourn suburbs of Beirut. strike also occurred near Hussainiye, a Shia mosque.

target of airstrike remained unclear, and Israeli army did not issue a prior warning. Ambulance sirens echoed through streets as an AP photographer on scene saw significant casualties on street.

It was second consecutive day of Israeli strikes on central Beirut after more than a month-long pause. On Sunday, a strike in area of Ras el-Nabaa killed Hezbollah media spokesperson Mohammed Afif, along with six or people, including a woman. Later that day, four people were killed in a separate strike in commercial district of Mar Elias.

Israeli military has not said what target of that strike was.

Minutes after Monday's strike, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a post on X, "All countries and decision-makers are required to end bloody and destructive Israeli aggression on Lebanon and implement international resolutions, most notably Resolution 1701." UN Security Council Resolution 1701, opted in 2006, ended a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah and was intended to create a buffer zone in sourn Lebanon. However, resolution's full implementation has faced challenges from both sides.

(Inputs from AP, Reuters)