Israeli airstrikes target Iranian site tied to Project Amad near Tehran

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck an Iranian facility near Tehran believed to be involved in nuclear weapons–related research, The Times of Israel reported on March 12.

According to the IDF, the target was the Taleghan complex located near the Iranian capital. Israeli airstrikes hit the site as part of a broader series of aerial attacks carried out by the Israeli Air Force in the area over recent days.

Israeli military officials said Iran had used the facility in recent years to develop high-powered explosives and conduct sensitive experiments tied to Project Amad, a suspected covert nuclear weapons program.

The IDF noted that the Taleghan complex had previously been targeted by Israel in October 2024 in response to an Iranian missile attack earlier that month.

Israeli officials added that recent intelligence indicated Tehran had begun efforts to restore the site following the earlier strikes.

Escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran

The latest strike comes amid a widening confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

A joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran began on Feb. 28. During the initial phase of the campaign, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in airstrikes.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles toward Israel as well as toward Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Attacks targeting U.S. military bases were also reported.

On March 6, Iranian military officials said they had launched a missile strike against the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, claiming it was the second such attack. The United States has not confirmed the claim.

U.S. President Donald Trump later said Washington would not pursue any agreements with Iran and demanded Tehran’s unconditional capitulation.

Iranian state media subsequently reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader, had assumed the position of Iran’s new supreme leader.