Iran Says Will Rebuild Nuclear Facilities if Attacked

In recent developments, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has firmly stated that Iran will reconstruct its nuclear facilities if they are attacked. This declaration comes amid reports suggesting that Israel is considering strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites.

During a visit to the southern province of Bushehr, President Pezeshkian addressed these threats, emphasizing the nation's resilience and the ingenuity of its people. He remarked, "They are threatening us that they will attack our Natanz nuclear facility. Come and attack it. It is the brains of our children that built it." He further asserted, "If you destroy a hundred (nuclear facilities), our children will build a thousand."

These statements follow a report by The Washington Post, citing U.S. intelligence sources, which indicates that Israel is "likely to attempt a strike on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities in the first six months of 2025." The report outlines "two potential strike options, each involving the U.S. providing support in the form of aerial refueling as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance."

The backdrop to these tensions includes the reinstatement of the "maximum pressure" policy by U.S. President Donald Trump, based on allegations that Iran is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons—a claim that Tehran has consistently denied. Despite the pressure, President Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution, stating, "I would like a deal done with Iran on non-nuclear. I would prefer that to bombing the hell out of it." He added, "If we made the deal, Israel wouldn’t bomb them."

The region has witnessed escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel. Notably, on October 26, Israel conducted airstrikes on military sites in Iran, resulting in the deaths of four servicemen. This action was in response to an October 1 missile barrage from Iran. Analysts suggest that these strikes inflicted significant damage on Iranian air defenses and missile capabilities. However, Iran has downplayed the impact, denying any major damage to its facilities.

In retaliation, on April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles targeting Israel, following a deadly April 1 attack on its Damascus consulate, which was attributed to Israel.

The international community remains on high alert as these developments unfold, with concerns about the potential for further escalation and the broader implications for regional stability.