Iran Bombs Israel "Nuclear Facility Surroundings" for First Time, No Nuclear Leakage So Far, But Terrorist Retaliation Cycle May Escalate

Iran launched its first missile attack targeting the area around Israel’s nuclear research center late on March 21. Two missiles struck approximately 20 km and 35 km from the facility, respectively. Israel was unable to fully intercept the missiles, resulting in at least 7 people seriously injured and 64 hospitalized. Prime Minister Netanyahu admitted, “This is a very difficult night,” while the IDF Chief of Staff warned, “The war is far from over.”
(Background: Iran fired medium-range missiles at US and UK bases; they missed but had a range of 4,000 km—twice the intelligence estimate.)
(Additional context: Trump called for “bombing until the goal is achieved” and urged Iran to surrender; over 200 Persian Gulf ships are on alert; European Central Bank warned that dollar hedging is failing.)

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• Casualties and structural damage
• Revenge cycle: nuclear for nuclear
• Nuclear safety confirmation: no radiation anomalies detected
• Cryptocurrency market in extreme panic

This is the first time since the US and Israel jointly launched military actions against Iran that the conflict has directly extended to the vicinity of nuclear research facilities! On the night of the 21st, Iran’s missiles hit Dimona and Arad in southern Israel. Dimona is only about 20 km from Israel’s Negev Nuclear Research Center, while Arad is approximately 35 km north of the facility.

Israel’s air defense system failed to fully intercept the incoming missiles, with some exploding upon impact.

Casualties and Structural Damage

According to foreign media reports, the attack caused at least 7 serious injuries, with a total of 64 people rushed to hospitals. The situation in Arad is particularly severe, with at least 10 apartment buildings damaged, three of which are at serious risk of collapse.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement that night, acknowledging, “This is a very difficult night,” but also declaring that Israel will continue to strike the enemy on all fronts.

Revenge Cycle: Nuclear for Nuclear

This wave of attacks is a symmetrical retaliation. Iran claims that the missile strikes are a direct response to Israel’s bombing of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility earlier that day: one side targets nuclear facilities, the other hits the surrounding areas. The conflict logic has shifted from traditional military targets to a more dangerous nuclear duel.

The conflict has lasted over four weeks since the joint US-Israel attack on February 28. The Middle East fighting has not only continued but escalated.

Nuclear Safety Confirmation: No Radiation Anomalies Detected

Despite the proximity of the missile strikes to the nuclear facility, the UN nuclear watchdog has explicitly stated that there have been no reports of damage to the nuclear site or radiation anomalies.

Iran’s official news agency Mizan also confirmed that the incident did not cause radiation leaks. While the nuclear disaster risk is temporarily ruled out, the missile impact points are close to a red line. Any future precision deviation could trigger uncontrollable consequences.

Cryptocurrency Market in Extreme Panic

Following the attack, combined with Trump’s ultimatum to Iran issued this morning—giving 48 hours—the crypto market plunged into extreme panic. Bitcoin initially dropped sharply but has since rebounded above $69,000.

News of attacks near nuclear facilities will further heighten already tense geopolitical uncertainties. If the Middle East conflict continues to extend toward nuclear sites, risk aversion pressures are expected to persist in the short term.