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Iran ,Israel  

In response to heightened tensions following a significant missile and drone attack on Israel, Iran has temporarily closed its nuclear facilities, citing security concerns. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed this decision during a briefing with journalists on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting.

Grossi stated that Iranian authorities informed IAEA inspectors on Sunday that all nuclear facilities subject to daily inspection would remain closed for security reasons. While these facilities were scheduled to reopen on Monday, inspectors were instructed to refrain from returning until the situation stabilizes, with Grossi emphasizing the necessity for "extreme restraint."

The recent escalation stemmed from Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel, which involved over 300 drones and missiles launched overnight from Saturday into Sunday. The attack was prompted by an Israeli air strike on a consular building in Damascus, resulting in casualties among Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Despite Israel and its allies successfully intercepting the majority of incoming projectiles, concerns persist regarding the potential for Israeli reprisals, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict. Israel has a history of military action against nuclear sites in the Middle East, exemplified by its bombing of Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981 and its admission to a covert air raid on a Syrian reactor in 2007.

Additionally, Israel has been accused by Tehran of orchestrating the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists and perpetrating a cyberattack using the Stuxnet virus in 2010, which targeted Iranian centrifuges involved in uranium enrichment.

The ongoing tension underscores the contentious relationship between Iran and Israel, with the former denying allegations of seeking nuclear weapons while the latter maintains its concerns regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

As the situation continues to evolve, diplomatic efforts are crucial in mitigating further escalation and fostering stability in the region. However, the temporary closure of Iran's nuclear facilities serves as a stark reminder of the precariousness of the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.