Tehran/Washington, 07 April (H.S.): Iran has acknowledged a US-Israel attack on its nuclear fuel cycle center amid the 38-day war, while panic grips the nation over America's threat to devastate the country if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed past Tuesday's deadline.

Iran's Atomic Energy Agency condemned the strike on the mid-Iran facility—known as the Shahid Rezaei Nejad Yellowcake Production Facility in Ardakan, Yazd province—as a violation of peaceful nuclear site security.

This uranium production plant, inaugurated in April 2013 on Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day and named after martyred scientist Daryush Rezaei Nejad, converts uranium ore into yellowcake with an annual capacity of about 60 tons of uranium oxide.

In an X statement cited by CNN, the Agency called the assault a direct hit on its reactor fuel supply chain, vowing that Iran's nuclear program for peace and humanity will persist despite heavy bombardment—though details on timing or damage remain undisclosed.

Late March reports had similarly flagged attacks on the site.

Escalating US-Israel Campaign

The integrated US-Israel military operation launched against Iran on February 28 grows more alarming daily, with Iran striking enemy nations and allies. Israel reported pre-dawn strikes Tuesday on Tehran and other areas, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bases, missile sites, and petrochemical plants via missiles, rockets, and drones, per The Times of Israel, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.

Eyewitnesses described massive explosions in Tehran and western suburb Karaj, including near Mehrabad International Airport—a near-daily target.Monday's US-Israel attacks across Iran killed at least 34, as Iranian missiles and drones continued hitting key Gulf sites.

President Donald Trump renewed warnings that failure to fully reopen the Strait by Tuesday night will prompt obliteration of Iran's power plants and bridges within hours.

The White House stated Monday that absent serious negotiations, Iran faces reversion to the Stone Age overnight, with Trump's national security team—including VP JD Vance, Secretary Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner—pushing talks.

Signs of Iranian alarm emerged as Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Alireza Rahimi urged youth, artists, athletes, and champions to form human chains around power plants at 2 p.m. Tuesday under the Iranian Youth Human Chain for a Bright Future campaign.

On X, he declared attacks on public infrastructure a war crime, defying Trump's threats despite Tehran's vow of retaliation.

Trump called the moment precarious, dependent on Iran's moves, deeming a multi-nation 45-day ceasefire insufficient—rejected by Iran, which demands permanence. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei affirmed forces won't retreat despite commander losses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar