• The site of an Iranian missile attack is sealed off in the southern Israeli city of Arad. EPA
    The site of an Iranian missile attack is sealed off in the southern Israeli city of Arad. EPA
  • Emergency personnel work at the scene of the strike on Arad. EPA
    Emergency personnel work at the scene of the strike on Arad. EPA
  • More than 100 people were injured in strikes on Israel's southern cities of Arad and Dimona. EPA
    More than 100 people were injured in strikes on Israel's southern cities of Arad and Dimona. EPA
  • Israeli emergency workers in Arad. EPA
    Israeli emergency workers in Arad. EPA
  • Israeli air defences systems are functioning, but failed to intercept the strikes, the military says. Reuters
    Israeli air defences systems are functioning, but failed to intercept the strikes, the military says. Reuters
  • Debris litters a home in a residential building damaged in the attack on Arad. Reuters
    Debris litters a home in a residential building damaged in the attack on Arad. Reuters
  • Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says 'military installations' and security centres were attacked. Getty Images
    Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says 'military installations' and security centres were attacked. Getty Images
  • The impact site of an Iranian missile in Arad. EPA
    The impact site of an Iranian missile in Arad. EPA
  • Israel's military says it will 'investigate the incident and learn from it', after defence systems failed to stop the missiles. Reuters
    Israel's military says it will 'investigate the incident and learn from it', after defence systems failed to stop the missiles. Reuters
  • Emergency workers search through the rubble in Arad. Reuters
    Emergency workers search through the rubble in Arad. Reuters
  • Dozens were injured in the attack on the southern city of Arad, while nearby Dimona was also hit. Getty Images
    Dozens were injured in the attack on the southern city of Arad, while nearby Dimona was also hit. Getty Images

Iranian strike hits city near Israeli nuclear site, injuring more than 100


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Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war

More than 100 people were injured in Iranian strikes on Israel's southern cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday, after the country's air defence systems failed to intercept at least two ballistic missiles.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement ‌on Sunday that "military installations" and security centres in southern Israel were attacked.

Israeli air defences systems are functioning, but failed to intercept the strikes, military spokesman Brig Gen Effie Defrin said in a post on X. "We will investigate ​the incident and learn from it," he added.

Israel’s secretive nuclear site is about 13km south-east of Dimona. Both the city and Arad are near several military sites, including Nevatim airbase, one of the largest in the country.

"This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office after the strike on Arad. "We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts."

Israeli security personnel gather at the site of an Iranian missile attack on Arad. Reuters
Israeli security personnel gather at the site of an Iranian missile attack on Arad. Reuters

Israeli officials have also said Iranian forces fired long-range missiles for the first time, increasing the risk of the conflict escalating beyond the Middle East.

Iran ​launched two ballistic missiles, with a range of 4,000km, at the US-UK Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said. It was the "first time" Iran had used long-range missiles in the conflict, the military added, marking its ⁠first expansion beyond the Middle East since the US and Israel began their attacks on Iran on February 28.

"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals – Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Mr Zamir said in a statement.

Before the attacks, Iranian media reported that US-Israeli strikes hit the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex on Saturday morning. Technical experts found no radioactive leaks had occurred and people living nearby were not at risk. Israel ‌said it was unaware of such an attack, while the International Atomic ⁠Energy Agency said it was investigating the incident.

Iranian media later reported attacks on a passenger terminal in the southern port ​of Bushehr and an empty passenger ship at Kharg Island. The island, where Iran loads nearly all of its oil exports, is potential target if Washington decides to hit ​Iranian energy infrastructure, or send ground ‌troops to seize the site.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington was considering “winding down” its military operations against Iran. In a social media post, he said the US was close to meeting its goals in the conflict, but added that other countries should take the lead in securing the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is vital to the global energy trade but has effectively been closed by Iran.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the terrorist regime of Iran," Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

The US President and his administration have sent mixed messages about American aims throughout the war, leaving traditional allies struggling to respond. But shortly after issuing the statement on social media, Mr Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's ⁠power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the strait "within 48 hours".

"If Iran doesn't fully open, without threat, the ​Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first," he said on social media.

Updated: March 22, 2026, 6:12 AM