The IDF is nearing completion of a broad campaign targeting Iran’s military industry, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Saturday, as fighting continues on multiple fronts including Iran, Lebanon and Yemen.
Speaking four weeks into Operation Roaring Lion, Defrin said the military has been carrying out continuous strikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in coordination with the United States, while warning that risks remain for both forces and civilians.
IDF strikes in Tehran
He said the IDF expects within days to complete strikes on key components of Iran’s military production, significantly degrading its ability to manufacture weapons and slowing efforts to rebuild those capabilities.
Over the weekend, the Air Force struck two major facilities, including what the military described as Iran’s only uranium metal production plant — considered a key link in the nuclear weapons development chain — as well as a heavy water facility in Arak that Iran had been attempting to restore.
The IDF said it has killed more than 850 Hezbollah terrorists since the start of the war, including Ali Hassan Shaib, described as an intelligence operative in Hezbollah’s Radwan force who operated under the guise of a journalist.
Strike on Ali Hassan Shaib
(Video: IDF)
Ground forces are continuing operations in southern Lebanon, expanding what the military described as a forward defensive zone aimed at preventing direct fire on northern communities. Defrin said troops are encountering increasing resistance as operations deepen.
Missile fire toward Israel continued over the weekend from Iran and Lebanon, including a strike on Tel Aviv that killed a civilian. Additional launches were reported from Yemen and were intercepted by air defense systems.
Suspected Houthi drone intercepted over Eilat
Defrin said the military had prepared for a multi-front conflict, including the involvement of Houthi forces, and warned that any group targeting civilians would face retaliation.
Addressing concerns about strain on the military, he said the IDF remains strong despite more than two years of fighting across multiple fronts, but noted ongoing manpower challenges and reliance on reserve forces.
He said operations are being carried out according to a structured plan and in close coordination with U.S. forces, describing the cooperation as unprecedented.
Despite the progress, Defrin said Iran’s nuclear program has not been fully eliminated and that efforts are continuing to target all elements of its production chain.