Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Major Blasts Near Iranian Nuclear Sites, Haifa Refinery Struck

 Tel Aviv/Tehran Monday, June 16, 2025 | The Israel-Iran conflict entered its fourth consecutive night of violence, with both sides launching fresh missile strikes targeting strategic infrastructure and raising fears of a full-scale regional war.

On Monday morning, powerful explosions were reported near Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, located approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Qom. According to seismic monitoring reports, the blast triggered a 2.5-magnitude tremor on the Richter scale, shaking the region. Video footage published by Iran International English captured the moment of the explosions, believed to have been caused by Israeli airstrikes.

Iran’s Health Ministry reported that 224 people have been killed since hostilities began on June 13. Among the recent casualties are three officials of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian authorities informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Israel struck the Fordow enrichment facility on Friday, marking a major escalation in the conflict.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Israel has now attacked all three of Iran’s core nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — becoming the first nation to target the full network of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Israeli satellite imagery analyzed by Kan News showed severe damage to the Natanz power station.

Meanwhile, Iran launched a heavy retaliatory strike on Haifa, hitting the Haifa oil refinery, according to latest reports. RT International posted visuals of a large blaze engulfing parts of the city following the attack. At least four people were injured, according to unnamed Israeli officials quoted in the same report.

Iran also fired a salvo of nearly 100 missiles, some targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported widespread missile interceptions, with sirens blaring across central and northern Israel. Al Arabiya, citing Israeli media, described Sunday night's barrage as "the most intense Iranian strike since the start of the war."

In response, Israel launched counterstrikes deep into Iranian territory overnight, marking another round in what is becoming the largest-ever direct confrontation between the two longtime adversaries.

Despite growing international calls for de-escalation, the conflict continues to expand in both scale and intensity, with mounting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides. Global powers, including the United Nations, remain on high alert as the situation threatens to spiral into a broader Middle East conflict.