In a major escalation of tensions, Israel launched a covert strike on a military base near an Iranian nuclear site, using advanced missile technology that evaded Tehran's radar detection systems. The attack, which took place on Friday near the Iranian city of Natanz, serves as a warning to the Islamic republic against any future direct attacks on the Jewish state, according to Western officials cited by The New York Times.

The strike was in response to Iran's earlier barrage of over 300 drones and missiles targeted at Israel on April 13, most of which were successfully intercepted, resulting in minimal damage. The Israeli weapon reportedly targeted an S-300 anti-aircraft system at a military base in Isfahan, as confirmed by Iranian officials.

Satellite imagery reviewed by The Times revealed damaged radar at the S-300 system, located at the Eighth Shekari airbase in Isfahan. This base is responsible for protecting the Natanz nuclear site, which is vital to Iran's secret nuclear operations. Commenting on the strike, a senior US military official told Fox News, "The Israelis hit what they intended to strike."

The attack was carried out using drones and at least one missile, as confirmed by the Western and Iranian officials cited by The Times. Remarkably, the incursion went undetected as the missile was fired from an Israeli warplane located far from both Iran and Israeli airspace. In an effort to avoid involving Jordan in the conflict, the missile deliberately avoided Jordanian airspace.

While Iran downplayed the scale of the attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian dismissed the drones used in the strike as mere toys, failing to acknowledge the impact of the missile strike or the damage caused to the base. State media in Iran attributed the small number of explosions to its air defense system intercepting three drones, claiming the operation was carried out by "infiltrators" rather than Israel.

Experts are warning that these recent tit-for-tat attacks could have long-term implications for the bitter rivals. It is feared that both sides may now be emboldened to launch direct attacks on each other's territories, a practice that has long been avoided.

There are concerns that Israel's undetected strike could prompt Iran to reinforce the protection of its nuclear facilities by further burying them underground or moving them closer to Israel in preparation for future conflicts.

In response to the strike, controversial Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, who serves as Israel's far-right national security minister, criticized the operation as "lame." Ben-Gvir's statement has garnered backlash from fellow lawmakers and even officials within Prime Minister Netanyahu's inner circle.

The recent series of events began with Israel's airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members, including two top commanders. This attack served as the catalyst for Iran's subsequent assault on Israel.

The situation between Israel and Iran remains precarious, with the covert strike serving as a clear signal of Israel's capabilities and its determination to defend itself against direct attacks. The region now faces increased tensions and the risk of further confrontations between these two longstanding adversaries.