Israel targets Isfahan nuclear site.. Iran confirms thwarting the attack

Iran’s Fars News Agency confirmed on Saturday that Israel had targeted the nuclear site in Isfahan, adding that no dangerous material had leaked as a result.

Akbar Salehi, Deputy Head of Security and Law Enforcement in Isfahan Province, commented on the white smoke seen in the area, saying: “There is no cause for concern. We reassure citizens that no material leakage occurred, and the Isfahan refinery was not damaged.”

He added, “The attack was repelled, and most of the explosions were related to air defense systems,” according to his statement.

The Israeli military had already announced last Sunday that it carried out a “strong” strike on Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan.

IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on the platform X: “The Israeli army strongly struck the Iranian nuclear facility in Isfahan.”

He added: “This is a strategic and important site that was not spared from our strikes.”

He continued: “We continue to target the strategic capabilities of the Iranian regime, especially those related to the nuclear project.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites by claiming that Tehran is close to acquiring a nuclear warhead.

Iran, for its part, denies developing nuclear weapons and insists that its uranium enrichment program is solely for peaceful purposes.

‘Spies’ arrested

In a related development, police in Iran’s Qom Province announced on Saturday the arrest of 22 individuals accused of “spying for Israel” during eight days of conflict with the Jewish state, according to Fars News Agency.

The agency quoted the head of police intelligence in the central province, saying that since the Israeli strikes began on June 13, “22 individuals were identified and arrested for alleged links to Israeli intelligence services and for spreading public unrest.”

On Thursday, Iran had already announced the arrest of 24 individuals on charges of espionage for Israel and efforts to tarnish the country’s image, according to a statement from the Tasnim News Agency.

West Tehran’s police chief, Kiomars Azizi, stated: “Twenty-four people were arrested while spying for Israel, both on the ground and online… They were attempting to disrupt public opinion and damage and discredit the image of the Iranian regime.”

Tasnim also reported on Friday that an unnamed European citizen had been arrested in Iran, presented as an “Israeli spy,” though no identity or date of arrest was provided.