The Israeli army has announced that it conducted overnight strikes targeting an “inactive nuclear reactor” in Arak, Iran, as part of its ongoing military operations aimed at disrupting the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. The coordinated strikes also included the Natanz nuclear site, a focal point for Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts.
According to an Israeli military statement, the operation specifically aimed at damaging the reactor’s core seal structure, which plays a critical role in plutonium production. The Israeli authorities indicated that this action was necessary to prevent any potential restoration of the reactor that could facilitate nuclear weapons development.
The military operation involved around 40 jets from the Israeli air force, which targeted what they described as “dozens” of sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously asserted that significant damage had been inflicted upon the essential uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, with reports from the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggesting visible impacts on the underground sections of the site.
Iran has firmly denied allegations regarding its pursuit of nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes. The Arak heavy-water reactor, located near the village of Khondab, initially began construction in the 2000s but was halted following the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers—a deal that has since fallen apart. Iran has communicated plans to commission the reactor by 2026, which it claims is designated to produce plutonium for medical research purposes. The facility also houses a heavy water production plant.
The recent military actions underscore ongoing tensions in the region, with Israel expressing a strong stance against any advancements that could lead Iran closer to nuclear capability. The developments are likely to provoke reactions from various international stakeholders and heighten geopolitical uncertainties in the area.
