Israel has continued a large-scale airstrike against Iran for the eighth day, citing the justification of preventing nuclear weapons development.
The Israel Defense Forces announced on the 20th (local time) via a Telegram statement that they had bombed nuclear research facilities and missile production sites in Tehran since the previous night. The airstrikes involved more than 60 fighter jets and approximately 120 precision-guided missiles were used.
The targets of the airstrikes included facilities for producing missile components and engine raw materials and missile assembly industrial facilities located in the Tehran area. The Israel Defense Forces specifically reported that they struck the headquarters of the "Defense Innovation Research Organization (SPND)," which is Iran's research and development institution for nuclear weapons.
SPND was founded by Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated in 2020, and Israel views the organization as a continuation of Iran's past secret nuclear weapons development program, known as the "Ahmad Project."
The Israel Defense Forces emphasized that the strike on SPND completes a series of strikes in the heart of Tehran, highlighting the symbolic nature and strategic success of this operation.
The AFP and RIA Novosti reported that the airstrikes began on the night of the 19th. Israel has been escalating its attacks daily since it started preemptive airstrikes on the 13th under the pretext of eliminating Iran's nuclear threat.