LIVE: Iran Missiles Hit Israel as Arak Nuclear Reactor Targeted in Retaliation

Explosions Rock Middle East as Iran-Israel War Escalates; Nuclear Sites Targeted

A full-scale regional conflict erupted Thursday as Iranian ballistic missiles struck key Israeli sites, including Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva and buildings near Tel Aviv, while Israel retaliated with an airstrike on Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear reactor.

🧨 Strike Highlights (as of 09:25 GMT):

Soroka Hospital sustained “widespread damage” in Be’er Sheva; no major casualties reported.

Iran’s Arak (Khondab) nuclear facility was hit, though the IAEA confirmed no radiation leak, as the reactor was inactive.

Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan neighborhood was targeted, with explosions reported just 200 meters from the Lithuanian Embassy.

US President Donald Trump said he’s weighing military intervention; Russia warns of a “terrible spiral of escalation”.

China has evacuated 1,600+ citizens from both countries, urging calm.

Iran warns the US, while reiterating that “all options are on the table.”

Casualties mounting on both sides; Iranian state media report civilian sites being hit in Tehran.

💣 Nuclear Escalation and IAEA’s Role

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the Arak site was hit but declared no nuclear threat. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry blasted the IAEA for what it called “biased reporting” that gave Israel a “pretext” to attack its nuclear infrastructure.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated:

“We have not found any evidence Iran is actively building nuclear weapons.”

📢 Global Reactions:

Russia’s Kremlin: US involvement would trigger catastrophic consequences.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (Iraq): Warned of “dire consequences” if Iran’s leadership is targeted.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir: Called for arrest of citizens watching Al Jazeera inside Israel, citing national security risks.

🧭 Geopolitical Fallout

China and Russia are calling for restraint.

The US, while intercepting missiles on Israel’s behalf, is reportedly considering deploying bunker buster bombs against Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear site.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister warned, “We don’t want escalation but will teach aggressors a lesson.”

🕊️ Humanitarian Impact

Civilian structures in Tehran, Be’er Sheva, and Ramat Gan were struck.

Evacuations are underway in multiple Israeli cities.

Medical personnel across southern Israel are on high alert.

Shlomi Kodesh, Director of Soroka Medical Center, urged the public to stay away from the hospital unless it’s an emergency.

📈 Stock Markets React

Despite the strikes, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange continued its surprising rally, with the TA-125 index hitting a 52-week high, signaling investor confidence or speculative defense-sector optimism.

🔍 Quick Context: What is the Arak Reactor?

Located ~190 km southwest of Tehran, the Arak reactor was originally designed to produce plutonium.

Under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), Iran agreed to redesign the facility for peaceful use.

The attack on this site raises fears of a return to nuclear brinkmanship.