Dubai – In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday. The move follows growing concerns over Tehran's advancing nuclear program and coincides with mounting international pressure on Iran to comply with nuclear inspection protocols.

Israeli officials justified the military action as a preemptive measure against what they claimed was an impending Iranian push to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied any intention to build a bomb, asserting that its nuclear efforts are solely for peaceful purposes. U.S. intelligence assessments have similarly found no evidence of active weaponization efforts by Tehran.

This latest confrontation occurred just one day after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors formally censured Iran—the first such reprimand in two decades. In response, Iran announced plans to build a third uranium enrichment site and upgrade to more advanced centrifuges.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran had been progressing toward a deal that would ease U.S. sanctions in exchange for significant limitations on Iran’s uranium enrichment. Those talks are now in jeopardy.

As the situation develops, understanding the strategic importance of Iran's nuclear infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial. Below is a breakdown of Iran's major nuclear facilities and their roles in the country’s atomic ambitions:

Natanz Enrichment Complex

Located approximately 220 kilometers southeast of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s primary uranium enrichment center. Much of the facility is built underground to protect it from airstrikes, and it houses numerous cascades of centrifuges that rapidly enrich uranium.

Iran is also expanding operations at a nearby site known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La (Pickax Mountain), just beyond Natanz’s southern perimeter. Natanz has been the target of several sabotage operations, including the infamous Stuxnet cyberattack—reportedly developed by Israeli and American intelligence—and two additional attacks attributed to Israel.

Fordo Enrichment Facility

The Fordo facility, situated roughly 100 kilometers southwest of Tehran, also houses advanced centrifuge cascades. Though smaller than Natanz, Fordo is deeply buried beneath a mountain and fortified with air defense systems, making it highly resistant to aerial attacks.

Originally concealed, the site was revealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2009 after its existence was uncovered by U.S. and allied intelligence agencies.

Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

Iran’s only operational commercial nuclear plant is located in the southern city of Bushehr along the Persian Gulf. Initiated in the 1970s under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the project saw several setbacks following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and damage during the Iran-Iraq War. It was eventually completed with Russian assistance.

The plant is fueled by Russian-supplied uranium and is monitored by IAEA inspectors. Two additional reactors are currently under construction at the site.

Arak Heavy Water Reactor

About 250 kilometers southwest of Tehran lies the Arak heavy water facility. Heavy water is used to cool reactors and can produce plutonium—a material that, if reprocessed, could be used in nuclear weapons. This provides Iran with a potential alternative path to a nuclear arsenal, aside from uranium enrichment.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iran agreed to redesign the Arak reactor to reduce proliferation risks.

Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center

The Isfahan facility, located 350 kilometers southeast of the capital, serves as a research hub and production site for Iran's nuclear program. It employs thousands of scientists and hosts three research reactors built with Chinese collaboration, along with numerous laboratories supporting the broader atomic initiative.

Tehran Research Reactor

Housed at the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, this reactor dates back to 1967 and was originally supplied by the United States under the Cold War-era “Atoms for Peace” initiative. While it initially ran on highly enriched uranium, it has since been modified to use low-enriched uranium in line with global non-proliferation norms.

Conclusion

As diplomatic efforts falter and military tensions rise, Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains at the heart of global security concerns. Whether future negotiations can de-escalate the situation or lead to a long-term resolution remains uncertain, but understanding the operational scope and strategic value of these sites is essential for any meaningful discourse on the subject.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)