Tehran is considering attacking a nuclear research facility in the Israeli city of Dimona if tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, Qatari television channel Al Jazeera reported, citing a senior Iranian official who asked to remain anonymous. The official said the Dimona facility could become a “legitimate target” if tensions escalate further, underscoring rising tensions in the region.

The conflict between the two countries escalated sharply on the night of June 13, 2025, when Israel launched a military operation against Iran. According to Israeli authorities, the operation was aimed at stopping Tehran's nuclear and missile programs, which Tel Aviv believes pose a threat to regional security. Iran, in turn, responded less than a day later with a massive attack, including missile strikes on military targets in Israel. In the following days, the parties continued to exchange strikes, which led to casualties and destruction on both sides. Iranian and Israeli officials confirmed hits on a number of strategic sites, but the exact extent of the damage remains a matter of debate.

According to Avia.pro, the Dimona nuclear center, located in the Negev desert, is a key facility in the Israeli nuclear program. Although Israel does not officially confirm the presence of nuclear weapons, experts believe that the center plays an important role in research and development in this area. Iran's threat to strike Dimona is perceived as an attempt to put pressure on Israel and demonstrate its readiness for decisive action. Analysts note that such a move could lead to catastrophic consequences, including an environmental threat and further destabilization of the region.