Israel had destroyed a top-secret, active nuclear research facility of Iran in strikes launched last October, reported Axios, citing officials from the US and Israel.
The site, identified as the Taleghan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex, was earlier believed to be inactive, but the attack nullified Iran&rsquo;s years-long effort to resume nuclear weapons research, the report said, citing three US officials, one current and one former Israeli official.
<h2>Taleghan 2 facility</h2>
The site is located 20 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran. It was part of Iran&rsquo;s Amad nuclear weapons programme until it was discontinued in 2003. The site was reportedly used by Iran to test explosives required in developing a nuclear bomb.
The US and Israeli officials claimed that the site was still being used by Iran to conduct nuclear research. "They conducted scientific activity that could lay the ground for the production of a nuclear weapon. It was a top secret thing. A small part of the Iranian government knew about this, but most of the Iranian government didn't,&rdquo; the report quoted a US official as saying.
Israeli and US officials detected activity at the site earlier this year, as per the report.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-octobers-strikes-reduced-irans-ability-to-produce-ballistic-missiles-report-784220">Israel&rsquo;s October strikes reduced Iran&rsquo;s ability to produce ballistic missiles: Report</a>
Satellite imagery later showed the facility was completely destroyed in Israeli attacks.
<h2>Reaction from Iran</h2>
Iran officially denies it is pursuing a nuclear bomb.
"Iran is not after nuclear weapons, period," declared Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi last week.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-president-pezeshkian-urges-trump-to-pursue-peace-not-bloodshed-says-we-do-not-fear-war-8623349">Iran's President Pezeshkian urges Trump to pursue peace, not 'bloodshed,' says 'we do not fear war'</a>
Israel targeted this site because it was not part of Iran's declared nuclear programme. Israel was under pressure from US President Joe Biden to not attack any nuclear facility to avoid further escalation. However, the attack on Taleghan 2 facility put Iran in a precarious position, as acknowledgement of an active nuclear facility would have meant that the Shi&rsquo;ite nation was in violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | The site, identified as Taleghan 2 facility, was earlier believed to be inactive but the attack nullified Iran’s years-long effort to resume nuclear weapons research.

Israel had destroyed a top-secret, active nuclear research facility of Iran in strikes launched last October, reported Axios, citing officials from the US and Israel. The site, identified as the Taleghan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex, was earlier believed to be inactive, but the attack nullified Iran’s years-long effort to resume nuclear weapons research, the report said, citing three US officials, one current and one former Israeli official. Taleghan 2 facility The site is located 20 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran. It was part of Iran’s Amad nuclear weapons programme until it was discontinued in 2003. The site was reportedly used by Iran to test explosives required in developing a nuclear bomb. The US and Israeli officials claimed that the site was still being used by Iran to conduct nuclear research. "They conducted scientific activity that could lay the ground for the production of a nuclear weapon. It was a top secret thing. A small part of the Iranian government knew about this, but most of the Iranian government didn't,” the report quoted a US official as saying. Israeli and US officials detected activity at the site earlier this year, as per the report. Also read: Israel’s October strikes reduced Iran’s ability to produce ballistic missiles: Report Satellite imagery later showed the facility was completely destroyed in Israeli attacks. Reaction from Iran Iran officially denies it is pursuing a nuclear bomb. "Iran is not after nuclear weapons, period," declared Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi last week. Also read: Iran's President Pezeshkian urges Trump to pursue peace, not 'bloodshed,' says 'we do not fear war' Israel targeted this site because it was not part of Iran's declared nuclear programme. Israel was under pressure from US President Joe Biden to not attack any nuclear facility to avoid further escalation. However, the attack on Taleghan 2 facility put Iran in a precarious position, as acknowledgement of an active nuclear facility would have meant that the Shi’ite nation was in violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel destroyed top secret Iranian nuclear research site in October attacks: Report

US President Joe Biden has discussed plans to launch potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if the Islamic Republic moves to expedite its programme ahead of the January 20 inauguration of the new administration. Axios reported that White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan secretly briefed Biden about the potential strikes weeks ago, citing a senior official.
The official however added that there was no additional intelligence on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme and Biden didn&rsquo;t make any final decision.
The briefing was part of &ldquo;prudent scenario planning,&rdquo; said the official.
Axios reported citing another White House source that the current administration was not actively discussing possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities.
<h2>Sullivan's warning last month</h2>
Sullivan last month warned that US has to be extremely careful in the wake of &ldquo;strategic blows&rdquo; to the Islamic Republic amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
&ldquo;You can look at the public statements of Iranian officials, which have changed in the last few months as they have been dealt these strategic blows, to raise the question: Do we have to change our doctrine at some point? The fact that that&rsquo;s coming out publicly is something that has to be looked at extremely carefully,&rdquo; he said at the time.
President-elect Donald Trump waged a &ldquo;maximum pressure&rdquo; campaign on Iran during his first administration, which also saw the US unilaterally walking out from the nuclear deal. Biden tried to revive the deal with Tehran but to no avail. Trump during his presidential campaign vowed to &ldquo;make a deal.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-three-european-nations-to-hold-nuclear-talks-on-january-13-8585517">Iran, three European nations to hold nuclear talks on January 13</a>
&ldquo;We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal,&rdquo; Trump said in September.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday that nuclear talks between Tehran and three European countries will take place on January 13 in Geneva.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Axios reported that White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan secretly briefed Biden about the potential strikes weeks ago, citing a senior official.

US President Joe Biden has discussed plans to launch potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if the Islamic Republic moves to expedite its programme ahead of the January 20 inauguration of the new administration. Axios reported that White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan secretly briefed Biden about the potential strikes weeks ago, citing a senior official. The official however added that there was no additional intelligence on Iran’s nuclear programme and Biden didn’t make any final decision. The briefing was part of “prudent scenario planning,” said the official. Axios reported citing another White House source that the current administration was not actively discussing possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities. Sullivan's warning last month Sullivan last month warned that US has to be extremely careful in the wake of “strategic blows” to the Islamic Republic amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. “You can look at the public statements of Iranian officials, which have changed in the last few months as they have been dealt these strategic blows, to raise the question: Do we have to change our doctrine at some point? The fact that that’s coming out publicly is something that has to be looked at extremely carefully,” he said at the time. President-elect Donald Trump waged a “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran during his first administration, which also saw the US unilaterally walking out from the nuclear deal. Biden tried to revive the deal with Tehran but to no avail. Trump during his presidential campaign vowed to “make a deal.” Also read: Iran, three European nations to hold nuclear talks on January 13 “We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal,” Trump said in September. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday that nuclear talks between Tehran and three European countries will take place on January 13 in Geneva. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden discussed plans for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Report

US President Joe Biden has said he doesn’t support potential retaliatory strikes by Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. When reporters asked Biden Wednesday (Oct 2) whether he would support such an action, the US leader said, “The answer is no”. However, he added that the Jewish nation had a right to respond to the Oct 1 Iranian missile attack and it should be done proportionally.

He added that US would soon be rolling out new sanctions against Iran for the barrage.

This comes after US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Iran will face “severe consequences” for the attacks and that Washington DC and Tel Aviv would co-operate to decide the intensity of such retaliation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiUrKzeoPCIAxW5YPUHHQQ7MlMQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-shahab-3-fattah-2-missiles-that-iran-fired-at-israel-in-oct-1-attacks-763892" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-shahab-3-fattah-2-missiles-that-iran-fired-at-israel-in-oct-1-attacks-763892&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiUrKzeoPCIAxW5YPUHHQQ7MlMQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">West Asia crisis: Shahab-3, Fattah-2 among missiles that Iran fired at Israel in Oct 1 attacks</a>

Media reports on Wednesday hinted that Israel was mulling targeting Iranian strategic infrastructure, such as gas and oil rigs, or Iran’s nuclear sites. Axios reported that the government of PM Benjamin Netanyahu was also considering targeted assassinations and attacks on Iran’s air defence systems.

Such an attack on Iran would not only jeopardise the Iranian economy but also risk expanding the war further. Israel PM's office later said Netanyahu had convened a meeting with Israel’s security chiefs at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu said after the attack, “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it,” vowing, “whoever attacks us — we will attack them.”

A readout released by the White House on Wednesday said&nbsp;that President Joe Biden joined a call with the G7 leaders to discuss Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate on a response to this attack, including new sanctions. 
 
President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel.&nbsp;He expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, it added.

<h2>Iran not looking for war</h2>

Amid reports of imminent Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iran, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a cautious note Wednesday and said his nation was not seeking a war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiUrKzeoPCIAxW5YPUHHQQ7MlMQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-vows-iran-will-pay-for-missile-attack-sends-more-troops-to-lebanon-763883" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-vows-iran-will-pay-for-missile-attack-sends-more-troops-to-lebanon-763883&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiUrKzeoPCIAxW5YPUHHQQ7MlMQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Israel vows to make Iran pay for missile attack, sends more troops to Lebanon</a>

Pezeshkian, however, added that his nation would respond strongly if such an attack takes place.

Pezeshkian made the remarks following his meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during his official two-day visit, which aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden has said he doesn’t support potential retaliatory strikes by Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. When reporters asked Biden Wednesday (Oct 2) whether he would support such an action, the US leader said, “The answer is no”.

US President Joe Biden has said he doesn’t support potential retaliatory strikes by Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. When reporters asked Biden Wednesday (Oct 2) whether he would support such an action, the US leader said, “The answer is no”. However, he added that the Jewish nation had a right to respond to the Oct 1 Iranian missile attack and it should be done proportionally. He added that US would soon be rolling out new sanctions against Iran for the barrage. This comes after US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Iran will face “severe consequences” for the attacks and that Washington DC and Tel Aviv would co-operate to decide the intensity of such retaliation. Also read: West Asia crisis: Shahab-3, Fattah-2 among missiles that Iran fired at Israel in Oct 1 attacks Media reports on Wednesday hinted that Israel was mulling targeting Iranian strategic infrastructure, such as gas and oil rigs, or Iran’s nuclear sites. Axios reported that the government of PM Benjamin Netanyahu was also considering targeted assassinations and attacks on Iran’s air defence systems. Such an attack on Iran would not only jeopardise the Iranian economy but also risk expanding the war further. Israel PM's office later said Netanyahu had convened a meeting with Israel’s security chiefs at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu said after the attack, “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it,” vowing, “whoever attacks us — we will attack them.” A readout released by the White House on Wednesday said that President Joe Biden joined a call with the G7 leaders to discuss Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate on a response to this attack, including new sanctions. President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel. He expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, it added. Iran not looking for war Amid reports of imminent Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iran, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a cautious note Wednesday and said his nation was not seeking a war. Also read: Israel vows to make Iran pay for missile attack, sends more troops to Lebanon Pezeshkian, however, added that his nation would respond strongly if such an attack takes place. Pezeshkian made the remarks following his meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during his official two-day visit, which aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Attack should be proportional,’ Biden opposes Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iranian nuclear sites