Israeli fighter jets bombed Iran’s heavy water reactor in the central region on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in what marks the seventh day of retaliatory strikes between the two nations. The Israeli military claimed the attack was aimed at preventing the reactor’s use in nuclear weapons development. The Arak reactor, currently under construction, was the target of the Israeli airstrike.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the attack, stating the reactor didn’t contain nuclear material. However, spent fuel from the reactor contains plutonium, which can be used to develop nuclear weapons. The Arak reactor is part of a 2015 agreement between Iran and major world powers, where Iran agreed to redesign the reactor to prevent the production of weapons-grade plutonium. The IAEA verified that Iran had removed the reactor core and rendered it inoperable.
Background on Arak Reactor
The IAEA’s latest quarterly report notes minor construction at the Arak reactor since late May, with Iran expecting it to start operating this year and generating electricity by 2026. The Israeli military claims Iran’s government ordered workers to halt changes to the reactor to pressure Western countries. The latest attack targeted components related to plutonium production to prevent the reactor’s revival and potential use in nuclear weapons development.
The source of this information is bbc.