Israel Launches Airstrike on Iran; Nuclear Plant Targeted, Tensions Escalate in Middle East

New Delhi. Amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Israeli military has claimed to have carried out an attack on a nuclear plant in Iran. Concurrently, Iran’s state-run media also reported that Israel had targeted a nuclear facility. These targets included a heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production facility. Specifically, a heavy-water reactor located in central Iran was targeted in the attacks attributed to the U.S. and Israel. This strike occurred just hours after Israel threatened to intensify its campaign against Tehran. Israel has claimed responsibility for the attacks, while Iran has immediately vowed to take retaliatory action.

According to the report, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a warning to Israel, declaring that it will respond to the attacks. Seyyed Majid Mousavi, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, posted on Twitter advising employees of companies linked to the U.S. and Israel to evacuate their workplaces. He stated, “You have tested us before. The world has once again witnessed that you are playing with fire and attacking critical infrastructure. This time, the ‘tit-for-tat’ equation will not apply; just wait and watch.” Meanwhile, the United States continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution.

News of the attacks emerged just as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict were progressing well and that he had granted Tehran additional time to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran maintains that it has not participated in any form of negotiations. Iran Levying Fees on Ships

A group of Gulf Arab nations stated on Thursday that Iran is levying fees on ships to ensure safe passage. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that Washington—using Pakistan as an intermediary—has handed Iran a 15-point agenda for a potential ceasefire. This proposal includes imposing restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran rejected the U.S. proposal and presented its own five-point counter-proposal, which included demands for reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over this vital strait. Trump has stated that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all forms of traffic by April 6, he will order the destruction of Iran’s energy facilities.

Further Decline in U.S. Stock Market
On Friday, the U.S. stock market witnessed a further decline, extending Wall Street’s longest losing streak in nearly four years, while oil prices surged once again. The price of a barrel of Brent crude rose by 2.9% to $104.81—up from approximately $70 before the war began on February 28. Benchmark U.S. crude climbed 4.4% to $98.61 per barrel.

Iranian Arms Production Targeted
The Israeli military stated that it is intercepting Iranian missiles on a daily basis. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Iran would have to pay a heavy and escalating price for this war crime. Katz noted that, despite warnings, the shelling continues; consequently, attacks within Iran will intensify and expand to encompass additional targets—specifically those sites and regions that assist the regime in manufacturing and deploying weapons against Israeli civilians.

The Israeli military reported that its strikes on Friday targeted facilities located in central Tehran where ballistic missiles and other weaponry are manufactured. It further stated that it struck missile launchers and storage depots in western Iran. Following the pre-dawn attack, smoke was seen rising over Beirut, and the Lebanese Ministry of Health subsequently reported that two people had been killed.

Missiles and Drones Shot Down
Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense announced that it had shot down missiles and drones targeting the capital, Riyadh. Kuwait reported that its Shuwaikh Port—located in Kuwait City—and the Mubarak Al Kabir Port in the north (which is currently under construction as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative) sustained damage during the attacks. This appears to mark the first instance during the conflict in which a project linked to China has been targeted within the Gulf Arab states. China has continued to purchase crude oil from Iran.