45 years ago, Iran waged its own preemptive strike on nuclear facilities

On Sept. 30, 1980, Tehran ordered a surprise airstrike of its own on the same Iraqi nuclear facilities that Israel would destroy a little more than eight months later.

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani walks near an Iranian missile during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran, in this picture obtained on February 17, 2024.

(photo credit: Iran's Defense Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS)

ByAMI EDEN/JTA

JUNE 13, 2025 18:41

45 years ago, Iran waged its own preemptive strike on nuclear facilities

On Sept. 30, 1980, Tehran ordered a surprise airstrike of its own on the same Iraqi nuclear facilities that Israel would destroy a little more than eight months later.

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45 years ago, Iran waged its own preemptive strike on nuclear facilities

On Sept. 30, 1980, Tehran ordered a surprise airstrike of its own on the same Iraqi nuclear facilities that Israel would destroy a little more than eight months later.

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