Tensions Rise as Iran Threatens to Strike Israel's Nuclear Reactor

Iran has threatened to target Israel’s nuclear reactor in its attacks as Tel Aviv and the United States continue to bombard Tehran and other cities across the country. A report from the Iranian news agency ISNA, quoting an unnamed Iranian military official and cited by Reuters and The New Arab on Friday (6 March 2026), states that Iran will target Israel’s nuclear site at Dimona if Tel Aviv and Washington seek to topple the Tehran regime. The Dimona nuclear site has long been believed to be the location of Israel’s nuclear weapons development programme. Israel has never confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons. However, according to The Times of Israel, the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, located near the town of Dimona, is believed to be key to Israel’s suspected nuclear weapons programme. The site, in the Negev region of southern Israel, is among the most heavily protected locations in the Jewish state, and security measures there are believed to cover the full range of Israel’s air defence systems. Iran’s threat comes as a wave of large-scale US and Israeli strikes continues to hammer the Shiite nation since Saturday (28 February local time). Both Washington and Tel Aviv say their aim is to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb and to destroy Iran’s long-range ballistic missile programme. Israel is also actively encouraging the Iranian people to topple the regime in power in the country, while the US indicates it would welcome a change in Tehran’s regime. On Wednesday (4 March), an Iranian warship sank off the coast of Sri Lanka after being struck by a torpedo attack launched by a US submarine. Thirty-two crew were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, but at least 87 others were killed. The attack by the US occurred as the Iranian warship was sailing after conducting military drills at Visakhapatnam port in eastern India. The Iranian military, in its response, described the incident as a ‘cowardly attack’ and vowed to retaliate.