<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-iran-nuclear-facility-attacked-after-iran-fired-missiles-at-uk-us-diego-garcia-base/6ec2a114-9cbb-48ce-9399-dcf31fc4c46f" rel="" target="_blank" title="Iran"><span>Iran</span></a><span> has struck two communities near Israel’s main nuclear research site late on Saturday, leaving several people seriously injured, hours after its own Natanz main nuclear enrichment site was hit, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/us-israel-iran-war-how-ai-social-media-are-weaponising-disinformation-new-era-of-information-warfare/7a112fc8-7601-4da3-b595-87cd666b8ce5" rel="" target="_blank" title="as the war spun into a dangerous new direction"><span>as the war spun into a dangerous new direction</span></a><span> at the start of its fourth week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It marked the first time in the war that </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/israel" rel="" target="_blank" title="Israel’s"><span>Israel’s</span></a><span> nuclear research centre has been targeted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Israeli military said its defences were not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/one-nation-south-australian-election-victoria/94dd2cdc-837d-4c70-bbc3-fb1e0dcd9c90"><strong><span>One Nation's surge could send 'seismic shockwaves' across border</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="tweet" data-tweet-id="2035420428294889658" data-user="9NewsAUS"></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-crosses-northern-territory-coast-forecast-to-head-to-western-australia/5ed8ddfe-adf1-4321-91e2-603672aa43fd" rel="" target="_blank" title="Tropical Cyclone Narelle forecast to hit third state after crossing NT coast"><strong><span>Tropical Cyclone Narelle forecast to hit third state after crossing NT coast</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dozens of people were injured, emergency services said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>“The war is not close to ending,” said Israel’s army chief, Gen. Eyal Zamir.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/dozens-injured-in-israel-after-iranian-missile-strikes-target-areas-near-nuclear-research-center/8338e254-51a9-4cdb-bda8-8a7189f5f1b8" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iran's health ministry said more than 1500 people have been killed there so far, the state broadcaster reported.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Earlier, Iran targeted the joint UK-US Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean about 2500 miles (4000 kilometres) away, suggesting that Tehran has missiles that can go farther than previously acknowledged – or that it had used its space program for an improvised launch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have beem saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat," the IDF said in a post on X.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Iranian terror regime has carried out attacks against 12 countries in the region and is developing a capability that poses a much broader threat."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents said Iran’s capital saw heavy airstrikes as they marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Iran’s leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs and its support for armed proxies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There have been no signs of an uprising, while internet restrictions limit information from Iran.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The war’s effects are felt far beyond the Middle East, raising food and fuel prices.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is not clear how much damage Iran has sustained in the US and Israeli strikes that began February 28 – or even who is truly in charge.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since being named to the role.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Israel denies responsibility for attack on Natanz</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There was no leakage after the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, nearly 220 kilometres southeast of Tehran, the Iranian judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan, said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The UN nuclear watchdog has said the bulk of Iran’s estimated 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium is elsewhere, beneath the rubble at its Isfahan facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency said on X it was looking into the strike.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israel’s military said it was “not aware” of a strike by it there. The Pentagon declined to comment. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said such strikes posed a “real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East”.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iran later retaliated, targeting Israel’s nuclear program. Israel is believed to be the only Middle East nation with nuclear weapons, though its leaders refuse to confirm or deny their existence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The IAEA said on X it had not received reports of damage to the Israeli centre or abnormal radiation levels.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Natanz facility was also hit in the first week of the war and in the 12-day war last June.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shellharbour-girl-attacked-at-shopping-centre-after-school/585ac9ae-cd13-49ae-b96a-6ea29715c0a3" target="" title="Mum wants charges laid after after-school attack on 12-year-old girl"><strong><span>Mum wants charges laid after after-school attack on 12-year-old girl</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>US can use Diego Garcia base to protect Strait of Hormuz</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>UK officials did not give details of the strike that targeted the Diego Garcia base Friday, which was unsuccessful. Britain’s Ministry of Defence described Iran as “lashing out across the region”.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It’s unclear how close the missiles came to the island.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iran previously asserted that it has limited its missile range to below 2000 kilometres.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But military experts said Iran may have used its space launch vehicle for an improvised firing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>“If you’ve got a space program, you’ve got a ballistic missile program,” said Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israel’s army chief, however, said Iran had fired “a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile.”</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There was no statement from Iran.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Britain has not participated in US-Israeli attacks but has allowed US bombers to use its bases to attack Iran’s missile sites.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On Friday, the UK government said bombers could use Diego Garcia to attack sites used to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-middle-east-war-with-iran-winding-down-plans-strait-of-hormuz/6ff29431-b12f-4e3a-8da6-86ce2011bac0" target="" title="Trump considering 'winding down' his war in Iran, but invasion plans reportedly being drafted"><strong><span>Trump considering 'winding down' his war in Iran, but invasion plans reportedly being drafted</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Global pressure increases to get shipping back on track</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As Iran threatens shipping on the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates joined 21 other countries including the UK, Germany, France and Japan in expressing "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage”.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Trump administration announced it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil that was already loaded on ships as of Friday, but that does not increase oil production, a central factor in surging prices.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The oil ministry of Iran, which has evaded sanctions for years, replied that it “essentially has no crude oil left in floating storage”.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The head of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, asserted that Iran’s ability to attack vessels on the strait had been “degraded".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) bombs were dropped earlier in the week on an underground facility along Iran’s coast used to store anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile missile launchers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional Marines to the Middle East, an official told The Associated Press. Two other US officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were headed. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the operations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gulf countries reported more attacks. A missile alert sounded Saturday night in Dubai. Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in its east, home to major oil installations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four others have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 US military members have been killed, along with well over a dozen civilians in Gulf nations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants clash in Lebanon</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israel's military said it was conducting a “targeted ground operation” in southern Lebanon and at least four militants were killed. Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with troops in the southern village of Khiam.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 1 million, according to the Lebanese government. Hezbollah's civilian assets also have been targeted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>