Israeli Strikes Target Missile and Nuclear Concerns as IAEA Weighs In on Iran Nuclear Program
February 28, 2026 – 6:11 AM
An Israeli military official said Saturday that Israeli strikes on Iran were launched in response to intelligence showing an acceleration in Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
Speaking to journalists, the official said Israel was coordinating with the United States to carry out dozens of strikes across Iran, describing the operation as a necessary step to curb growing security threats.
According to the official, intelligence assessments indicated that Iran had sped up efforts to strengthen its missile capabilities. The decision to act now, the official said, was based on those findings.
The official also claimed that Iran’s government was continuing to operate and fortify elements of its nuclear program, allegedly attempting to conceal parts of it while advancing its capabilities. The stated objective of the offensive is to significantly reduce the operational strength of the Iranian regime.
However, recent comments from the head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog offered a more cautious assessment.
In an interview with French network TF1, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that most of Iran’s enriched uranium remained intact following U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in June 2025.
Grossi said the IAEA had not seen evidence that Iran was actively working to develop nuclear weapons capability.
“No,” Grossi said when asked whether inspectors had found proof of weapons development. “On the contrary, I see, today, a willingness on both sides to reach an agreement.”
He added that while some nuclear material may be less accessible after the strikes, the majority remains in place. From a non-proliferation standpoint, he emphasized, the material still exists, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts to prevent further military escalation.
Grossi was directly involved in recent rounds of indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military official said the opening phase of the strikes targeted a mix of operational infrastructure and what were described as “essential personnel.” The official declined to specify which individuals may have been targeted.
The developments mark another escalation in the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, even as diplomatic channels remain active.
Source: CBS News