IDF Declares Iran as Primary Warfront, Downgrades Gaza to Secondary Arena - Israel News - Haaretz.com
The IDF said on Saturday that Iran has become Israel's primary combat arena, while the Gaza front has become secondary, "in the hope of bringing the hostages back as quickly as possible."
The IDF also acknowledged for the first time that it attacked Iran's nuclear facility in Fordow, emphasizing, however, that it was not damaged to the extent that it was destroyed.
Over the past 24 hours, air force jets have struck around 150 targets inside Iran, according to military sources.
The IDF also said that the air force's efforts have created a safe route to Iran's capital, Tehran, and that they can now operate freely in its airspace.
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The army said that before the Israeli strikes, Iran had reached an advanced stage in the production of nuclear weapons, which was one of the reasons that led to the decision to act against the country's nuclear facilities.
At the Isfahan nuclear facility in central Iran, a building used for producing metallic uranium and enriching uranium was attacked. According to IDF sources, the facility was not completely destroyed, but the strike is expected to set back its activity by several years.
A building damaged by an Israeli strike in Tehran, Friday.Credit: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters
The IDF also said that its forces are preparing for defense against Hezbollah, although the group is not currently actively preparing for combat, according to the military.
Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, Iran has launched approximately 200 missiles toward Israel, with about 50 falling in open areas.
Three Israeli civilians have been killed in the barrages, and dozens more have been wounded. The IDF is refraining from publishing the full number of impact sites but emphasizes that its defense systems are functioning effectively.
The IDF estimates that retaliatory attacks from Iran will continue.