'60 fighter jets in action': How Israel pulled off overnight airstrikes on Iran, struck nuclear facility - watch video

NEW DELHI: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday conducted extensive overnight strikes on numerous military targets within Iran, including a significant attack on the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), an institution allegedly involved in Iran's nuclear weapons development program.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has now entered its second week, with European officials attempting diplomatic interventions to bring Tehran back to negotiations. US President Donald Trump has indicated that any decision regarding American involvement would be made within two weeks.


Also read: Israel unleashes fresh strikes across Iran; nuclear facility among targets — 10 key developments

The current escalation began last Friday when Israel initiated attacks on Iran, citing the need to prevent its long-standing adversary from developing nuclear weapons. Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory, while maintaining that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.


How they conducted the strikes
The operation, involving more than 60 Air Force fighter jets and approximately 120 munitions, targeted dozens of strategic military locations across Iran, including the SPND.


The strikes focused on several missile manufacturing facilities in the Tehran region, which the IDF described as "industrial centers of gravity" for Iran's ministry of defence. The operation targeted sites responsible for producing missile components and raw materials used in rocket engine manufacturing. A key objective was the SPND headquarters building in Tehran, which was successfully struck during the operation.

Also read: 'Not asking for US green light': Netanyahu says Israel will hit all nuclear sites in Iran; quiet on eliminating Khamenei

"Among the sites attacked were military industrial sites for the production of missile components and sites for the production of raw materials used for casting rocket engines. As part of the attacks and as part of the IDF's activities to damage the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons project, the IDF attacked the Spand headquarters building in Tehran," the IDF said.


Why SPND?
The SPND headquarters holds particular significance as it serves as a crucial research and development center for advanced technologies and weapons supporting Iran's military capabilities. The organisation was established in 2011 by Fakhri Zadeh, who is recognized as the architect of Iran's nuclear weapons program.

The IDF also confirmed striking a facility involved in producing essential components for Iran's nuclear weapons program, though specific details were not disclosed for security reasons.

"In addition, a site for the production of a component that is a necessary basis for the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons program was attacked," IDF said.

Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran.