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3. Israel Strikes Iranian Energy Infrastructure Before U.S. Diplomacy Deadline

Israel struck infrastructure targets across Iran on Friday, with Iranian officials saying the attacks hit two major steel factories, a power plant and multiple nuclear-linked sites as the campaign widened beyond purely military targets. The IDF claimed credit for the strikes on nuclear related facilities, just days after President Trump extended his deadline for direct U.S. action against Iranian energy infrastructure.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strikes hit “2 of Iran’s largest steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites among other infrastructure,” further adding that the attack contradicted President Trump’s extended deadline for diplomacy. He vowed that Iran would exact a “HEAVY price for Israeli crimes.”

Among the nuclear-linked sites hit were the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd province, according to AP, citing Iranian state television and the Israeli military. The IDF said Friday’s operations struck infrastructure vital to Iran’s nuclear program, among a number of other targets.

The strikes also came days after President Donald Trump extended his deadline for direct U.S. action against Iranian energy infrastructure. Reuters reported Thursday that Trump said he would pause attacks on Iran’s energy plants for 10 days, until April 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern, after saying Tehran had requested a shorter delay during talks.