In a large-scale overnight operation, the IAF struck a centrifuge production facility and multiple weapons manufacturing sites in the Tehran area, the IDF announced on Wednesday.
More than 50 IAF jets participated in the strikes on around 20 targets, which were guided by intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate.
The majority of the targets struck were facilities producing components and raw materials for surface-to-surface missiles, which the Iranian regime has launched at Israel in the past. Sites involved in the production of surface-to-air missile systems were also hit.
A facility used to produce centrifuges, which the military said were intended to accelerate uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons development, was also struck. The IDF emphasized that civilian nuclear programs do not require enrichment at such levels.
The military said the operation was part of its ongoing campaign to disrupt the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons development and missile production capabilities.
While Israel hasn't given up on striking Iranian nuclear sites and targets, this signals a shift in the IDF's priority to ballistic missile targets that pose a direct threat to Israel.
This is the first time that more IAF aircraft were used than the number of targets hit in Iran. This could also indicate that the IDF has fewer targets to strike but is trying to destroy them more completely.
Before the strike, the IDF issued an evacuation warning for the residents of Tehran, which came after barrages of Iranian missiles towards Israel.
"Dear citizens, for your safety and health, we ask that you immediately leave the designated area in District 18 of Tehran," the IDF Farsi spokesperson wrote on X/Twitter.
It is estimated that 30 missiles were launched at Israel.
No direct casualties or injuries from the missiles have been reported, and MDA is currently assisting several people who injured themselves on their way to protected areas.