At the end of October, Israel’s Air Force launched a coordinated attack on Iran’s weapons infrastructure. The purpose of that attack is now coming to light. Israeli planes targeted the Parchin military complex because it housed very sensitive equipment for shaping and testing plastic explosives that encase uranium in a nuclear device. This product is essential for initiating a chain reaction in a nuclear weapon.

Officially, Iran paused its nuclear program in 2003. The equipment was being stored at the complex. Both American and Israeli intelligence reported that in the last year, Iran had resumed scientific activities that could be an attempt to develop nuclear weapons. If Iran decides to move forward with developing nuclear weapons, it would need to replace the special equipment destroyed in the Israeli strike. A senior Israeli official explained, “This is equipment the Iranians would need if they wanted to move towards a nuclear bomb. Now, they don’t have it, and finding any alternative won’t be easy. We would see any such efforts.” Another Israeli official noted, “This equipment is a bottleneck. The Iranians are stuck without it.” Israeli and American intelligence would likely detect any attempt by Iran to build or acquire such machinery.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised President Biden not to target Iranian nuclear sites, for fear of sparking a massive regional war. Since this military complex is not officially part of the nuclear program of Iran, no part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was violated.

Please pray for more intelligence and diplomacy to bring solutions and safety to the Middle East.