Israeli Strikes Target Key Iranian Nuclear Sites
The Israeli military claimed responsibility for targeting the Arak nuclear reactor and a nuclear site near Natanz in Iran, citing plutonium production risks. Iran activated air defenses, and reported no radiation or casualties. Strikes occurred amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program.
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, the Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had targeted Iran's Arak nuclear reactor overnight. The operation reportedly also struck what Israel described as a nuclear weapons development site located near the city of Natanz.
The targeted locations include a partially-built heavy-water research reactor originally named Arak, now known as Khondab. In response to the strikes, Iranian media reported that local air defenses had been activated, with projectiles striking an area near the Khondab facility. Evacuations were executed pre-strike, and no radiation threats or casualties were reported.
The Israeli forces claimed that the strikes were critical to disrupting key components in plutonium production at the reactor's core. Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful. However, concerns remain as heavy-water reactors, like Khondab, can produce plutonium for weapons-grade applications, a point of contention fueling the ongoing Israeli-Iranian hostilities.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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