Arak nuclear facility hit: Satellite images show extent of Israeli strike; see before-and-after pic
The Israeli military conducted a strike on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor facility on Thursday morning, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The facility, located 280 kilometers from Tehran, had been inactive under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal.The Arak Nuclear Complex’s significanceBuilt in response to Iran’s security concerns following the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the Arak facility was developed domestically after Iran failed to acquire heavy water reactor technology from other nations. The complex consisted of an experimental reactor and heavy water production facilities, with the latter being crucial for producing plutonium that could potentially be used in nuclear weapons.The strike and its impactIsraeli Defence Forces targeted the facility “to prevent the reactor from being restored,” specifically aiming at the reactor’s core seal. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies revealed significant damage, including the partial collapse of the reactor dome and damage to surrounding structures. The Israeli military released footage showing multiple explosions at the site.
2015 nuclear deal contextUnder the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran had previously disabled the reactor by filling its core with concrete as part of broader nuclear program restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief. Despite these measures, Israel has maintained concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.Iranian atomic energy chief Mohammed Eslami condemned the attack as “barbaric and unlawful” and called for IAEA intervention. The IAEA confirmed no radiological release resulted from the strike. The attack came in response to Iranian missile strikes on southern Israel, which had damaged medical facilities and residential areas near Tel Aviv.
