Iran has launched long-range ballistic missiles at Israel for the first time, striking near the Dimona nuclear facility and the southern city of Arad on March 21, 2026. The attacks killed at least eight people, injured more than 130, and marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran.

Reports confirm that multiple missiles hit Dimona, widely believed to house Israel’s nuclear arsenal, and nearby Arad, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Israeli rescue teams said more than 100 civilians were wounded, while hospitals in southern Israel were overwhelmed with casualties.

Iranian state media described the strikes as retaliation for an earlier attack on its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, which Tehran claims was carried out by US-Israeli forces. “This is a response to aggression against our nuclear site,” Iranian officials declared, framing the missile barrage as part of a tit-for-tat escalation.

The Israeli Security Cabinet convened an emergency late-night meeting following the attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response, while military officials confirmed that Israel’s defense systems intercepted some missiles but failed to prevent direct hits in populated areas.

This marks the first time Iran has fired long-range ballistic missiles directly at Israel, signaling a new phase in the conflict. Analysts warn that targeting Dimona — home to Israel’s nuclear facilities — is a deliberate attempt to challenge Israel’s strategic deterrence and could provoke wider regional instability.

The strikes come amid a broader war that began in late February after US-Israeli airstrikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. Since then, Iran has vowed retaliation, while the US has claimed to have destroyed much of Iran’s naval capacity in what it called the largest military campaign since World War II.

International reactions have been swift. The United Nations expressed concern over the escalation, urging restraint from both sides. Meanwhile, global markets reacted nervously, with crude oil prices spiking due to fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East.

With Iran now openly targeting Israel’s nuclear sites and Israel promising retaliation, the conflict risks spiraling into a wider regional war. The coming days will be critical as both sides weigh their next moves in what has already become one of the most dangerous confrontations in recent history.

Image from Stand with Israel