Iranian Missile Strikes Israel’s Dimona, Home To Key Nuclear Research Site; Over 40 Injured

Last Updated:March 22, 2026, 05:47 IST

The strike targeted Dimona, widely known for hosting Israel’s nuclear research centre established in 1958.

This frame grab from AFPTV footage shows damage to building in the town of Dimona. (AFP)

At least 47 people were injured after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential area in the southern Israeli town of Dimona, famous for the dome-shaped structure atop its nuclear centre and popularly known as “little India” on Saturday evening (local time).

Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (MDA), said more than three dozen people required urgent medical attention, including victims suffering from shrapnel wounds, injuries sustained while rushing to shelters, and cases of acute anxiety. Among the injured were children, including a 10-year-old boy in moderate condition and a 12-year-old boy reported to be seriously hurt by shrapnel.

A woman in her 30s was moderately hurt by glass shards, and 31 others suffered minor injuries from shrapnel or were hurt after falling over while running to shelters, rescuers told news agency PTI.

“Most people were in shelters, which prevented more serious injuries,” a resident noted, adding that one of the severely injured children had remained outside during the attack.

The strike targeted Dimona, widely known for hosting Israel’s nuclear research centre established in 1958.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it is investigating the failure to intercept the Iranian ballistic missile. The Israeli army said the air defences engaged the ballistic missile, but the interceptors failed to knock it down.

“The incident will be investigated,” it said.

IAEA Condemns Attack

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had received no indication of damage to the facility or any abnormal radiation levels. The UN watchdog confirmed it was closely monitoring the situation and called for “maximum military restraint.”

“The IAEA is aware of reports of an incident in the city of Dimona, Israel, involving a missile impact and has not received any indication of damage to the nuclear research center Negev,” the IAEA said in a post on X.

Why Iran Struck Dimona?

The strike in southern Israel came hours after the Iranian state media said US-Israeli forces had struck the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz enrichment complex on Saturday morning.

No radioactive leaks were detected, and nearby residents were not at risk.

Iran described the strike as a response to an alleged earlier attack on its Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. However, Israel’s military denied responsibility for any strike on Natanz. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said the agency was investigating the reported incident at the Iranian site.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the alleged strike on the Natanz facility, warning it could pose a “real risk of catastrophic disaster” across the Middle East.

Dimona, often referred to as “Little India,” has a large Indian-Jewish population, primarily from Maharashtra. The community, numbering around 7,500 people, makes up nearly 30 per cent of the town’s population and maintains strong cultural ties with India.

(With inputs from agencies)

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