Iran's ballistic missile factory destroyed in Israeli strikes, will take two years to repair: Report

Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday (Oct 26), hit a ballistic missile factory, housing heavy fuel mixers used to power Khaybar and Qassem missiles, ballistic missiles that were launched at Israel earlier this month, the Saudi Elaph news site reported, citing an informed source. 

The source added that it will take two years to repair the factory, which has been completely destroyed by the Israeli airstrikes. 

However, the report did not mention the location of the factory. 

Moreover, the Iranian military said that only radar systems were damaged in pre-dawn Israeli strikes on Tehran and other provinces. 

“Thanks to the timely performance of the country’s air defenses, the attacks caused limited damage and a few radar systems were damaged,” Iran's armed forces general staff said in a statement. 

Also read: ‘Entitled to defend,’ Iran says four soldiers dead, ‘limited damage’ sustained in Israeli strikes

Today's airstrikes an 'opening blow'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir commended Israeli airstrikes on Iran, saying that the strikes were merely an "opening blow" that must be followed by further action. 

“The attack on Iran is important as an opening blow for striking Iran’s strategic assets and this must be the next step,” he said, adding that “this is my position and I will continue to present it in the relevant forums.”

“We have a historical obligation to remove the Iranian threat to destroy Israel,” Gvir said.

Watch | Israel Attacks Iran: Mission Concluded, Military Targets Hit: IDF

Netanyahu denies 'Israel notified Iran ahead of attack'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied reports that Israel warned Iran through third parties not to respond to the airstrikes and that it gave a general indication of what it would and would not. 

The PMO said that the report on the Walla news site is "false and absurd". 

“Israel did not notify Iran before the attack — not about the timing, not about the targets, and not about the scale of the attack.”

Israel on Saturday launched a long-awaited retaliatory strike against Iran. The Israeli military said that it was the "precise strikes" by the Israeli Air Force that targeted strategic military sites, specifically drone and ballistic missile manufacturing and launch sites, and air defence batteries. 

Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)