Iraqji: Israel's Targeting of Energy Sites Contradicts Trump's Deadline

SadaNews - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Israel's targeting of steel and energy industrial sites contradicts U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for diplomacy, asserting that Tel Aviv "will pay a heavy price for its crimes."

He wrote in a post on "X": "Israel hit two of the largest steel mills in Iran, a power plant, and civil nuclear sites among other infrastructure," noting that Israel claimed to have carried out this operation in coordination with the United States.

He continued, "The attack contradicts the extended deadline for diplomacy set by the U.S. President."

The Iranian statement came after the Israeli army announced its attack on a heavy water production facility near the city of Arak in central Iran. Heavy water is used to slow down neutron movement in nuclear reactors.

The army also confirmed that it targeted a uranium ore concentrate production plant in Yazd province, central Iran.

For its part, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Friday that Iran reported a uranium production facility in Yazd region was attacked today, noting that no increase in radiation levels outside the site had been reported.

Damage to Steel Mills

Additionally, Iranian media reported that U.S.-Israeli airstrikes caused damage to two major steel mills in Iran on Friday.

Israeli media indicated that the targeting of steel mills in Iran was ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Warning of Retaliation

In response, the Revolutionary Guard warned industrial companies and heavy industries linked to America and Israel in the region, demanding that they evacuate their workplaces.

It is worth noting that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening that he would extend the deadline for launching attacks on Iranian power plants by 10 days until April 6 at the request of the Iranian government.

Trump had urged Iran to reach an agreement to end U.S. and Israeli bombardment, otherwise it would face more strikes on its territory.

This current postponement by Trump is his second, as he announced last Monday an order to postpone all strikes against Iranian power stations and energy infrastructure for 5 days, which ends on Friday evening, and he expected that negotiations with Iran would continue throughout the week.