Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants as Iran strikes 2 Israeli cities

## Summary
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP hide caption toggle caption Ohad Zwigenberg/AP After warning of retaliatory attacks on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure, Iran on Saturday night launched missiles at two southern Israeli cities that lie close to the country's main nuclear research center. Earlier, Iran said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to everyone except "Iran's enemies." Here are more updates on day 23 of the conflict: Iran attacks near Israeli nuclear facility Dimona and Arad in southern Israel were hit by Iranian missiles Saturday night, in attacks Iranian media reported were aimed at the country's main nuclear research center. He added that Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the "root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz." Gulf continues to be hit by war fallout In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted one of three Iranian missiles fired at it overnight and the United Arab Emirates said it was responding to Iranian drones and missiles. On Saturday, the countries of the G7 — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America — released a statement condemning Iran's attacks on its regional neighbors in the Gulf. "We reaffirm the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, and safety of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and all associated critical waterways, as well as the safety and security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets," the statement said .

## Article Content
World
Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants as Iran strikes 2 Israeli cities
Updated March 22, 2026
8:01 AM ET
Originally published
March 22, 2026
7:22 AM ET
By
NPR Staff
Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect the crater left by an Iranian missile in Arad, southern Israel, Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
After warning of retaliatory attacks on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure, Iran on Saturday night launched missiles at two southern Israeli cities that lie close to the country's main nuclear research center.
The Israel Defense Forces said
about 180 people
had been injured, some severely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "a very difficult evening" for the country, in a
post on X
.
Middle East conflict
Iran war enters its fourth week with no clear end in sight
Also overnight,
President Trump
gave Iran 48 hours to reopen a crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, saying if Tehran fails to do so "America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Roughly a fifth of the world's oil transited through the strait last year — and Iran's willingness to attack the transport vessels has virtually halted traffic.
The president has vacillated in recent days between saying the war is "winding down," while also deciding to stage new U.S. ground forces near the region and continuing to strike Iranian targets.
On Sunday, the speaker of the Iranian parliament said in a
post on X
that if the US and Israel target his country's power plants, Iran will deem vital infrastructure sites across the Gulf region as legitimate targets.
Earlier, Iran said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to everyone except "Iran's enemies."
Here are more updates on day 23 of the conflict:
Iran attacks near Israeli nuclear facility
Dimona and Arad in southern Israel were hit by Iranian missiles Saturday night, in attacks Iranian media reported were aimed at the country's main nuclear research center.
Authorities refuse to confirm or deny Israel has nuclear weapons.
The Iranian missiles managed to get past Israel's sophisticated air defense systems and footage from the sites of the strikes showed large craters and destroyed buildings.
Israel's
Ministry of Health
said in the city of Arad around 116 people were injured, while in Dimona 64 were injured.
Nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency said it had not "received any indication of damage to the nuclear research center Negev" in Dimona. However, the body's Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that "maximum military restraint should be observed, in particular in the vicinity of nuclear facilities."
The attacks came shortly after Iran vowed to go after U.S. and Israeli infrastructure if its facilities came under attack. Last week, Israel attacked Iran's nuclear site at Natanz.
Iran's state-affiliated
Tasnim news agency
confirmed the missile attacks on Arad and Dimona were in retaliation for the attack on Natanz.
Trump amps up threats over Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said in a post on Truth Social Saturday night that he would "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the country doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz.
He demanded Iran open the strait in 48 hours — or by Monday evening.
As the war with Iran enters its fourth week the strait remains effectively shut. Iran continues to hit ships and tankers trying to pass through, and the price of oil has risen considerably.
The Trump administration asked allies to send warships to protect tankers — but other countries were unwilling to participate.
Iran says it is only preventing "enemy" countries from passing through.
"Diplomacy remains Iran's priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important," said Iran's representative to the UN's International Maritime Agency Ali Mousavi, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.
He added that Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the "root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz."
Gulf continues to be hit by war fallout
In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted one of three Iranian missiles fired at it overnight and the United Arab Emirates said it was responding to Iranian drones and missiles.
Speaking from Saudi Arabia where leaders from Arab and Muslim countries are meeting, Turkey's foreign minister warned the Gulf may be forced to retaliate against Iran. So far, Gulf countries have expelled Iranian diplomats but not intervened militarily in the conflict.
"In light of Iran's continuing flagrant attacks against Saudi Arabia, the kingdom has informed the military attache, his deputy and 3 other members of Iran's embassy in Riyadh that they are considered persona non grata and should depart the kingdom within 24 hours," Riyadh said in
a statement.
Separately,
Qatar's Ministry of Interior
announced a military helicopter had crashed in territorial waters and six of th

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important," said Iran's representative to the UN's International Maritime Agency Ali Mousavi, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

### Areas for Consideration
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "a very difficult evening" for the country, in a post on X .

### Implications
- Middle East conflict Iran war enters its fourth week with no clear end in sight Also overnight, President Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen a crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, saying if Tehran fails to do so "America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Roughly a fifth of the world's oil transited through the strait last year — and Iran's willingness to attack the transport vessels has virtually halted traffic.
- On Sunday, the speaker of the Iranian parliament said in a post on X that if the US and Israel target his country's power plants, Iran will deem vital infrastructure sites across the Gulf region as legitimate targets.
- However, the body's Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that "maximum military restraint should be observed, in particular in the vicinity of nuclear facilities." The attacks came shortly after Iran vowed to go after U.S. and Israeli infrastructure if its facilities came under attack.
- Speaking from Saudi Arabia where leaders from Arab and Muslim countries are meeting, Turkey's foreign minister warned the Gulf may be forced to retaliate against Iran.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, iranian, israel topics. Notable strengths include discussion of iran. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1166.