Missiles from Iran struck Dimona and Arad, injuring many and raising tensions amid denials from Israel over the earlier attack on Natanz.
Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad on March 22, 2026, in what officials described as retaliation for an earlier strike on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.
The attacks marked the first time Iranian missiles penetrated Israel's air defense systems near the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, leaving buildings damaged in the sparsely populated Negev desert area.
Impact and Casualties
At least 180 people were wounded in the strikes on Dimona and nearby Arad, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health, with reports of shattered buildings and disruption in the region.
Dimona, located about 20 kilometers west of the nuclear research center, and Arad, about 35 kilometers to the north, were directly affected, though the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed no damage to the facility or abnormal radiation levels.
Israel's military stated it could not intercept the missiles, highlighting vulnerabilities in the area's defenses amid escalating tensions.
International Reactions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the evening 'difficult' for Israel, while Russia's Foreign Ministry warned of risks to the Middle East from such strikes.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the initial strike on Natanz, which Israel denied responsibility for, and the International Atomic Energy Agency reported no indications of damage at the Israeli site.
