Tel Aviv, March 20, 2026 (Agencies) – At least 39 people were injured after Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting the southern Israeli city of Dimona, home to a sensitive nuclear research facility, according to Israeli media reports.
The strike marked the seventh missile attack on Dimona and its surrounding areas within a single day, as reported by local broadcaster Channel 12. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that at least one Iranian ballistic missile made a direct impact on a building in the city.
Authorities said an investigation is underway into the failure of air defense systems to intercept the incoming missile.
Iranian state television described the attack as retaliation for an earlier strike on its nuclear site in Natanz. Iranian media added that no radioactive leakage was reported following the incident at the Natanz facility.
The escalation comes amid rapidly intensifying hostilities between Israel and Iran, with both sides targeting strategic infrastructure. Reports also indicated that Iranian drones struck areas near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, targeting fuel depots and refueling installations.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump ruled out any immediate ceasefire, stating that American forces had “knocked out everything” and emphasizing continued military pressure.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Tehran as a “loyal and reliable partner” in a Nowruz message released by the Kremlin, signaling Moscow’s diplomatic support for Iran.
The regional impact of the conflict is also expanding, with Iraq declaring force majeure on foreign-operated oilfields after disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz significantly reduced southern oil output, according to reports citing oil ministry officials.
Separately, drone strikes triggered a major fire near a US-linked military facility in Baghdad, further underscoring the widening scope of the conflict across the Middle East.
The latest developments highlight growing risks to regional security and critical infrastructure as the confrontation continues to intensify.