War in Iran: Israeli army confirms striking heavy water reactor in Arak, previously targeted in June

During the twelve-day war in the Middle East, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that they targeted the heavy water nuclear reactor in Arak, Iran. This attack was carried out on the 28th day of the conflict. The Israeli army stated that the reactor was a “plutonium production site for nuclear weapons.” Prior to this confirmation, Iranian media reported American and Israeli strikes on the site.

The Arak facility is one of the main known sites in the Iranian nuclear program. It was first revealed in 2002 along with the Natanz site, leading to international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities. The construction of the Arak facility began in the early 2000s, officially for medical research purposes.

Despite being frozen under the 2015 Vienna agreement for nuclear limitations, the Arak project has undergone modifications to prevent proliferation risks. The reactor core was removed and encased in concrete to render it inoperable. The facility, now known as Khondab, was scheduled to be operational by 2026 according to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

In addition to Arak, other well-known nuclear installations in Iran include uranium enrichment sites like Natanz and Fordow, the uranium conversion plant in Isfahan, and the Tehran nuclear research center. These facilities are subject to regular inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Aside from existing facilities, Iran is also building two new reactors with Russian assistance: Darkhovin in the southwest and Sirik, a complex of four power plants in the Strait of Hormuz. These developments underscore the ongoing scrutiny and tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities.