Israel attacks Iran - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. On April 22, 2021, Israeli forces reportedly carried out a cyberattack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. The attack caused a blackout at the facility and damaged centrifuges used to enrich uranium.
- 2. The attack was suspected to be in retaliation for Iran's alleged involvement in an explosion on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman in March.
- 3. Iran vowed to take revenge for the attack on Natanz, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling it an act of "nuclear terrorism."
- 4. The attack on Natanz came amid ongoing negotiations between Iran and world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration withdrew from in 2018.
- 5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long been a vocal opponent of the nuclear deal and has repeatedly called for a tougher stance on Iran's nuclear program.
- 6. The attack on Natanz was the latest in a series of incidents in the shadow war between Israel and Iran, which have been engaged in a regional power struggle for years.
- 7. Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria, where Iran has been supporting the Assad regime in the civil war.
- 8. Iran, in turn, has backed various militant groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which have carried out attacks against Israel.
- 9. The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have raised concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict in the region, with the potential for devastating consequences.
- 10. Both Israel and Iran have vowed to defend their interests and security, making the prospect of de-escalation and diplomatic resolution increasingly challenging.