Iran has launched an attack on the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, southeastern Tel Aviv, in response to the murder of Iranian nuclear scientists in operations attributed to Israel, the Fars news agency said.
The Weizmann Institute of Sciences, located in Rehovot, houses teams dedicated to research in areas such as biology, chemistry and physics. The same institute had already been quoted in reports about damage caused by rockets and missiles released from Iran on Sunday night.
Images obtained by The New York Times showed campus structures affected by explosions and fires after the Iranian attack on targets on Israeli soil.
According to Israel’s intelligence authorities, Tehran’s government approached the “point without return” in the production of nuclear weapons. The assessment indicated that the Iranian program had reached sufficient advancement to enable nuclear weaponry capacity.
Iranian media reports indicated that military officials and nuclear scientists were killed during operations. In addition to the Weizmann Institute, the offensives targeted facilities in Natanz, Fordow and Esfahan, as well as military bases in northwestern Iran.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has classified the murders of scientists as a crime and warned that Israel will face “a bitter and terrible destination.” He added that Tehran’s response is already underway.
In an official statement, the Islamic Republic announced the beginning of True Promise 3, defined as a measure of retaliation to the actions of Israel’s defense forces (IDF). The plan includes new attacks against military targets in Israeli territory.
Israeli press vehicles reported dozens of civil and military victims in Rehovot and other cities affected by projectiles. Authorities also informed damage to equipment and laboratories at the Weizmann Institute campus.
Tel Aviv’s government has stated that it will expand its operation against the Iranian nuclear program in response to attacks in the last 48 hours. Sources from the Ministry of Defense have stated that the largest missiles will be employed in the coming days.
On the morning of Monday, the Israeli Army Communication Channel reported that reinforcements were sent to the central region of the country to protect academic and civil facilities. The troops began to carry out aerial and terrestrial patrols in areas near research centers.
In a diplomatic note, Tehran formally reported to the governments of the United States, France and the United Kingdom the intention to make even greater attacks against Israeli territory if new aggressions are recorded. The message included a request for repudiation of Israel’s actions.
Analysts claim that the episode accelerates the military climb between Iran and Israel, raising the risk of regional conflict. In the absence of international mediation, experts project a new round of clashes at sea borders and aerials from both countries.
The Weizmann Institute suspended face-to-face activities until a new security assessment and announced that it will disclose the impact of the attack on a report to be published on Tuesday. United Nations representatives monitors the situation and summoned emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The unfolding of events will determine whether the True Promise Operation will be limited to the initial releases or will result in a series of staggered attacks between Iran and Israel. The scenario remains subject to change as response to each government.