The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Friday that Iran’s Khondab heavy water reactor suffered damage after Israeli airstrikes targeted the area on Thursday. The Khondab reactor, also known as Arak, is a significant component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents in the Arak region in central Iran before launching the strikes. The area is known to house nuclear facilities under construction, including a heavy water processing plant and the reactor itself.
Iran acknowledged that the vicinity of the Khondab nuclear facility was struck by air attacks earlier that morning but stated that the reactor itself remained unharmed. Iranian officials have condemned the strikes, calling them an act of aggression.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cautioned against using the agency’s findings on Iran’s nuclear program as justification for military actions. “Military action, from wherever it comes, is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we’re saying,” he stated during an interview.
The latest developments have escalated tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns about regional stability and the future of Iran’s nuclear activities. Observers are closely watching how this situation unfolds and its potential implications for international relations.
