A senior Iranian official told Qatar's Al Jazeera that Tehran is prepared to strike a nuclear reactor in the Israeli city of Dimona if the conflict with Israel escalates. The unnamed official stressed that such a move would be a response to ongoing Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities. The statement comes amid an escalation in the standoff between the two countries, which began in June 2025 and has already resulted in mutual attacks with casualties and destruction.

The official described Iranian attacks on Israeli targets as “extremely effective,” accusing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of covering up the true extent of the damage. He said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has precise information about Israel’s stockpile of interceptor missiles and is deliberately planning strikes to deplete them. He also said Iran has developed new, more advanced missiles that have not yet been used but will be used if necessary. The Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters spokesman added that Israel’s defensive capabilities are significantly weakened by a shortage of ammunition and equipment, which he claimed gives Iran a strategic advantage.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated following Israeli strikes on sites linked to Tehran’s nuclear and military programs. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli territory, hitting military bases and infrastructure. The threat to attack the Dimona nuclear center in the Negev desert is seen as an attempt by Tehran to increase pressure on Tel Aviv. Although Israel has not officially confirmed that it has nuclear weapons, the Dimona facility is considered a key element of its defense strategy, making such statements by Iran particularly provocative.

International experts have expressed concern about the possible consequences of a strike on Dimona, including the risk of an ecological catastrophe and further destabilization of the region. According to Middle Eastern media, Iran has been actively modernizing its missile arsenal in recent years, including ballistic missiles with increased accuracy, which allows Tehran to threaten strategic targets at a significant distance. At the same time, Israel's air defense system, including the Iron Dome and Arrow systems, remains one of the most advanced in the world, although intensive attacks could indeed strain its resources.