In a grave and highly dangerous escalation, Iranian ballistic missiles have struck the sensitive nuclear town of Dimona and the nearby city of Arad in Israel’s Negev Desert. The attack caused powerful explosions, damaging buildings and infrastructure near the heavily guarded Dimona nuclear research facility — widely regarded as the heart of Israel’s nuclear program.

Israeli health officials report at least 180 people injured, with 116 in Arad and 64 in Dimona. Several are in critical condition. Emergency services are overwhelmed as rescue teams operate under continued air raid sirens. Radiation monitoring units have been deployed to the area as a precaution.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed full responsibility. A senior commander, speaking under the direct orders of Mojtaba Khamenei, declared: “Dimona and Arad were legitimate targets. The Zionist regime attacked our nuclear sites — we have now struck theirs. The myth of Israeli nuclear immunity is over. We still have not used our best and ᴅᴇᴀᴅliest missiles.”

This strike comes as the US-Iran-Israel war shows no signs of slowing. Iranian forces continue to target Israeli cities and U.S. positions across the region, while American Marines remain engaged on Iranian soil and naval forces clash in the Strait of Hormuz.

Retired U.S. General Jack Keane called the attack “extremely reckless,” warning that repeated strikes near nuclear-related sites risk pushing the conflict into an uncontrollable phase.

Global oil prices have reacted with absolute panic, surging past $33,900 per barrel — an all-time record — as traders fear the war is rapidly spiraling toward a point of no return.

As smoke rises over Dimona and Arad, and both sides refuse to back down, the world faces a terrifying reality: the conflict has now reached the nuclear threshold. With casualties mounting and both nations’ most sensitive sites under threat, how much longer can this dangerous cycle of revenge continue before it leads to irreversible disaster?