The Israel Defense Forces launched coordinated strikes against Iranian nuclear and weapons facilities near Tehran using more than 50 fighter jets, escalating Middle East tensions that have already boosted defense sector equities and oil prices.
What Happened: The IDF confirmed Tuesday it targeted a uranium centrifuge production site in Tehran designed to expand Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.
Intelligence Directorate guidance enabled precision strikes on multiple weapons manufacturing facilities producing ground-to-ground and surface-to-air missile components.
“The Iranian regime enriches uranium intended for nuclear weapons development,” the IDF stated, emphasizing that civilian nuclear programs don’t require such enrichment levels.
The operation specifically targeted raw materials and assembly components for missiles Iran has launched toward Israel.
See Also: Iran Says WhatsApp A Tool For Israeli Surveillance — Meta Hits Back, Calling It ‘False Reports’
Why It Matters: Defense contractors rallied in after-hours trading following the strikes. Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) rose 1.12% after hours, while RTX Corp. (NYSE:RTX) climbed 0.72%.
The broader defense sector saw after-hours gains, with Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) rising 1.06% and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) up 0.60%. Defense-focused ETFs also advanced, as the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:ITA) added 0.38%, while the Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:SHLD) gained 0.39%
President Donald Trump dismissed ceasefire speculation, telling reporters aboard Air Force One he seeks “a real end” to Iran’s nuclear program with Tehran abandoning it “entirely.” His Truth Social posts called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” while threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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