Israel hits the ‘heart’ of Iran’s nuclear program in Natanz facility strike

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that a significant nuclear site in Iran was targeted in Thursday night’s strike against the regime.

“Iran has amassed enough highly enriched uranium to create nine nuclear bombs, nine,” Netanyahu stated. “In recent times, Iran has been making unprecedented moves to weaponize this enriched uranium. If left unchecked, Iran could develop a nuclear weapon very quickly.”

The Natanz Nuclear Facility, a crucial component of Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, and which along with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant has been highlighted by security analysts as having the potential to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for 11 nuclear weapons within a month, was impacted in the strikes, although the full extent of the damage is still unclear. 

Natanz facility

FILE – This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP, File)

It is unclear at this time if any of the underground structures were hit in the Thursday night strikes. 

“We will not let the world’s most dangerous regime get the world’s most dangerous weapons, and Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies,” Netanyahu said. “That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real. 

“The increasing range of Iran’s ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe, and eventually to America,” he added. 

Strike in Tehran

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Reporting by The New York Times also said the Parchin military complex had been hit in the overnight strikes, though Fox News Digital could not independently confirm the hit.

The extent of the damage also remains unknown as it was reported in November that the Parchin military complex had been significantly damaged in Israel’s October strikes which housed a nuclear weapons research facility. 

Another five military bases surrounding Tehran were also reportedly hit. 

You May Also Like

New Steven McDonald Documentary Celebrates Paralyzed NYPD Hero’s Legacy of Courage and Forgiveness

Nearly 10 years after his death, Steven McDonald — the paralyzed NYPD…
Twice-deported illegal immigrant charged with flying drone in restricted airspace during FIFA Fan Festival

Twice-Deported Migrant Accused of Flying Drone in Restricted Airspace at FIFA Fan Festival

Federal authorities say a twice-deported undocumented immigrant with an extensive criminal record…

Married Dads Spend 30+ Hours a Week on Housework and Childcare, New Study Finds

American fathers are taking on a far bigger share of life at…
George W. Bush gifts Michelle Obama a tin of Altoids at Obama Center opening in an ode to their friendship

George W. Bush Surprises Michelle Obama With Altoids Tin at Obama Center Opening, Highlighting Their Enduring Friendship

The warm friendship between former first lady Michelle Obama and former President…
UK train crash: 2 trains collide north of London, near Bedford, England, killing at least 1 and injuring nearly 100

At Least 1 Dead, Nearly 100 Injured After Two Trains Collide Near Bedford, England

LONDON — Emergency crews were sent to a rail crash north of…
Mexican man Arnoldo Jimenez brought back to US over 12 years after allegedly killing wife on wedding night

Arnoldo Jimenez Extradited to U.S. 12 Years After Alleged Wedding-Night Killing of Wife

A Mexican national accused of killing his wife on their wedding night…
South Carolina personal trainer goes missing, last spotted walking toward wooded area

South Carolina Fitness Trainer Found Dead After Warning Friend She Feared for Her Life

Authorities confirmed Friday that human remains discovered earlier this week in Lexington…
Three hikers die at Grand Canyon in heat-related illnesses during rising temperatures

Rising Heat Turns Deadly at Grand Canyon as Three Hikers Die From Heat-Related Illnesses

Three hikers have died in the Grand Canyon from suspected heat-related illnesses…
The Trump administration says it is cutting student loan interest. Not everyone qualifies.

Trump Administration Plans Student Loan Interest Cuts, but Many Borrowers Won’t Qualify

The Education Department announced Thursday that it will temporarily lower interest rates…

Israeli Ambassador Clashes With UN Official Over Sexual Violence Blacklist

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon clashed sharply with Vanessa…

FBI Arrests $1.2B Medicare Fraud Fugitive in Philippines in Second Most Wanted Fraudsters Capture

FBI arrests first suspect on ‘most wanted fraudsters’ list Bill Essayli, the…

Obama Center Engineer Reveals Obama’s Vision Behind the Controversial Landmark Design

CHICAGO — A key contributor to the design of the soaring Barack…