Iran signals readiness for nuclear retaliation as U.S.-Israeli strikes intensify
WEB DESK: Tehran has issued a stark warning that Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor could be targeted if the United States and Israel pursue regime change in Iran.
A senior Iranian military official told Shafaq News that any attempt to overthrow the Tehran government would trigger a “catastrophic retaliatory strike” using Iran’s most advanced missiles. The threat extends not only to Israel’s primary nuclear facility but also to the broader Middle East energy infrastructure. “This is a scenario we have already prepared for,” the official said, signaling readiness for a “scorched earth” approach if Iran’s leadership is threatened.
The warning comes amid mixed messages from Washington. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the ongoing strikes as efforts to weaken Iran’s military, not pursue regime change. However, President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government” following airstrikes, describing it as “probably your only chance for generations.”
Military analysts say that targeting Dimona, a cornerstone of Israel’s undeclared nuclear program, is the highest escalation point. By linking the reactor’s safety and global energy stability to Iran’s survival, Tehran seeks a “deterrence of despair.” With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted and oil prices volatile, a strike on nuclear and energy infrastructure could trigger widespread economic and environmental repercussions.
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